http://www.coe.edu/enews-103116.
Intercultural Center dedicated in Randall’s honor
Qierra Brockman ’18 and Steven Sharkey-Dye ’18 represented students at the dedication of the James H. Randall Intercultural Center.
Qierra Brockman ’18 and Steven Sharkey-Dye ’18 represented students at the dedication of the James H. Randall Intercultural Center.
Coe trustees, faculty, staff, students and members of the community gathered in Gage Memorial Union on Oct. 21 for the dedication of the James H. Randall Intercultural Center. The center was named in honor of Stead Professor Emeritus of English and African American Studies James Randall, who dedicated his Coe College career to mentoring students of color and to ensuring that all students had the opportunity to excel.
The first tenured black professor at Coe, Randall taught from 1969 to 2010. He grew up in rural North Carolina, working in the tobacco fields and attending segregated schools. He earned his bachelor’s at North Carolina A&T State University and master’s in English at Carnegie-Mellon University. His teaching areas included African American Literature, African Literature, American Literature, English Literature, Caribbean Literature and African American History. He also chaired both the African American Studies and American Studies programs at Coe, served as an advisor to the Black Self Educated Organization (BSEO), and spent many terms with the Committee on Diversity.
Since retirement, Randall has stayed busy volunteering at the African American Museum of Iowa and serving on the board of the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success. He served two six-year terms on the board of the Area Substance Abuse Council (ASAC), including a term as president. He has twice received the annual Community Contribution Award from the Cedar Rapids branch of the NAACP.
Opened last spring as a gathering space for students who come from diverse backgrounds, including international students, the Randall Intercultural Center is becoming the hub of student engagement, activity and education.
Click here to view photos from the dedication ceremony.
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL! 