formerly University of Missouri-Rolla
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The UMR Chancellor's Advisory Committee for African-American Recruitment and Retention

In April 1985, several alumni and collegiate members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity met with Chancellor Joseph Marchello to express their concerns about recruitment and retention programs for African-American students at UMR.

Eugene D. Jackson, '67, and Lawrence C. George, chapter adviser for the fraternity, served as moderators for the meeting, and Roscoe R. McWilliams, '72, served as secretary. The next day, the Rolla Daily News reported the resignation of Chancellor Marchello, prompting Lawrence George to write C. Peter Magrath, UM president, detailing the meeting for his information.

Interim Chancellor John T. Park then arranged for concerned alumni to meet with UMR staff members to initiate communication between the two groups. This was the first official meeting of the UMR Advisory Committee for African-American Recruitment and Retention. Those attending this meeting were Interim Vice-chancellor Nick Tsoulfanidis (who chaired the meeting), Dean Marvin Barker (College of Arts and Sciences), Don Brackhahn (Alumni and Constituent Relations), Floyd Harris (Minority Engineering), Robert Lewis (Admissions), Dean B. Ken Robertson (Dean of Students), Lawrence C. George (Alpha Phi Alpha adviser), and the following alumni: Larry E. Goodwin, '71; Wayne C. Harvey, '69; Gregory D. McClain, '72; Roscoe R. McWilliams, '72; Zebulun Nash, '72; Veo Peoples, '70; and Bennie Young III, '86. Other committee members appointed by Dr. Park but unable to attend were: Charles L. Casteel, '70; Eugene D. Jackson, '67; David B. Price, Jr., '68; and Louis W. Smith, '66.

Many of the concerns, frustrations and inequities experienced by UMR's African-American alumni were rehashed that day. Staff members undoubtedly were impressed with the sincerity and candor of the alumni, and by Lawrence George's desire to fully integrate African-American alumni and students into the university community. The key elements of this initial encounter were conveyed to Park, who in turn reported these activities to Martin C. Jischke when he accepted the position as chancellor of UMR
in 1985.

Shortly after his arrival at UMR, Jischke arranged a meeting with George to discuss the concerns of UMR's African-American alumni. Following this meeting, the UMR Advisory Committee for African-American Recruitment and Retention was expanded to include a broad range of alumni, to gain a greater perspective of campus life and alumni involvement. Jischke solicited suggestions for committee members from George as well as from UMR staff members, including Floyd Harris, '74, director of the Minority Engineering Program. Those alumni appointed to the committee at that time were Lawrence C. George, chairman; Larry E. Goodwin, ' 71; Wayne C. Harvey, '69; Robert F. Henry, '79; Eugene D. Jackson, '67; Natalie J. Jackson, '81; Gregory D. McClain, '72; Charles B. McField, '80; Roscoe R. McWilliams, '72; Robert R. Morrison, '71; Zebulun Nash, '72; Veo Peoples, '70; David B. Price, '68; Gregory D. Skannal, '85; Louis W. Smith, '66; Melanie A. Tindley, '85; Sheila G. Williams, '85; and Joseph Williams, '89 (student representative).

In February 1987, a committee meeting was held. The only committee members to attend this meeting, in a snow storm, were Harvey, George, Goodwin, McClain, and Nash. Also in attendance were Jischke, Harris, and Brackhahn. Disappointment about the decline in climate and receptivity to African-American students and the less-than-aggressive posture of the Minority Engineering Program (M.E.P.) were aired. Jischke was made aware of the deep feelings of omission and neglect that the African-American student body and alumni experienced prior to his arrival.

At this meeting, Harvey, Goodwin, McClain and Nash requested that the chancellor make the faculty and staff aware that he would not tolerate an inequitable environment for African-Americans or any other students. The four requested that individuals who fostered bigotry or racism be neither rewarded nor retained. They also said that if visible and real evidence of changes became apparent, they would pledge to give their full support to UMR and its programs.

At the October 1988 committee meeting, it became evident that Harvey, George, Nash, Goodwin and McClain had seen sufficient improvements to warrant their raising in excess of $10,000 in less than six weeks to endow the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund. This fund has grown to more than $100,000 in four years, primarily through the contributions of African-American alumni, the matching gifts of their employers, and the commitment and leadership of George and Nash.

Several companies deserve recognition for the unselfish gifts of their employees. These companies include Exxon, Amoco Oil, John Deere, ITT Teves, Owens Engineering and Manufacturing, Fluor Daniel Inc., Allied Signal-Bendix, Procter & Gamble, McDonnell Douglas, Anheuser-Busch, Ford Motor Company, Monsanto Chemical Company, Distron, Ex-Cell-O Corporation, J.M. Products, Wings & Things, General Dynamics, Boeing, Reynolds Metal Company, Lever Brothers, Menco Electronic Materials, Honeywell Corporation, IIS Inc., General Motors, and Centerior Energy Corporation.