U. establishes new Center for Af-Am Studies

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
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<p>Building on a strong core of faculty with a history of distinguished contributions to African American studies, Princeton University is establishing a new center to serve as a model for teaching and research on race in America. </p>

<p>President Shirley M. Tilghman launched the Center for African American Studies in a statement announcing that historic Stanhope Hall on the University’s front campus is being renovated to serve as its home. </p>

<p>Princeton will enhance its curriculum – particularly at the undergraduate level – double the size of the faculty in African American studies, and seek funds to endow the new center with the resources necessary to ensure its success, Tilghman said.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S15/85/91C70/index.xml?section=topstories[/url]”>http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S15/85/91C70/index.xml?section=topstories&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/pr/reports/aas/[/url]”>http://www.princeton.edu/pr/reports/aas/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>What wonderful news…something has been in the works for some time…it’s been worth the wait!</p>

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<p>“Princeton Plans Expansion of Black Studies Program” (New York Times)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/nyregion/19princeton.html?ref=nyregion[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/nyregion/19princeton.html?ref=nyregion&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>“Princeton University, one of the leading universities in black studies, yesterday announced an expansion in its program, including at least a doubling in the number of faculty members, the introduction of a major for undergraduates and the creation of a new center for teaching and research on race in America. </p>

<p>“Shirley M. Tilghman, Princeton’s president, said in a telephone interview yesterday that she hoped the effort would help the university contribute greater insights to issues like the nature of racial identity and help train a “new generation of leaders to solve problems that have persisted too long.” </p>

<p>“Robert Bruce Slater, the managing editor of The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, called the change “a big deal” and predicted that it will broaden the base of knowledge and help Princeton attract more black students and professors.</p>

<p>“The announcement, which grew out of a report by a Princeton faculty committee on African-American studies appointed last year, is sure to heat up the rivalry in the discipline between Princeton and Harvard. </p>

<p>“Mr. Slater said yesterday that he could not say that one university was ahead of the other. “They’re both extremely strong,” he said. </p>

<p>“The program will also get a new home at the center of campus.</p>

<p>“Dr. Appiah, who led the faculty committee on African-American studies, said a major goal of the center would be to reach all students, not just to concentrate on the undergraduate majors. </p>

<p>“The African-American experience and questions about race in society are things that any educated undergraduate should have,” he said. “It is central to a liberal education.”</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/09/21/news/15879.shtml[/url]”>http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/archives/2006/09/21/news/15879.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>“princeton challenges harvard’s af-am supremacy”:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=514388[/url]”>http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=514388&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>By the way, Princeton’s Black Student Union and the Institute for International and Regional Studies organized for Rwandan President Kagame to come to speak to us in McCosh 50 yesterday, and I must say that although I didn’t understand his English 100%, I was very impressed with how he proposes to apply academic social and political theory to the reconstruction of Rwanda. :slight_smile: So… yes – this is the kind of thing you have to look forward to here at Princeton.</p>