The Newsletter for Hamline University’s Hedgeman Center for Student Diversity Initiatives and Programs Volume: XIII Edition: VI Editor: Tia Nguyen MISA Office Undergoes Changes, INSIDE New Name and Logo Unveiled at Banquet THIS EDITION Did you hear the news? We’ve changed our name to correspond with the recent expansion Anna Arnold Hedgeman of our services and initiatives. Announced at our recent awards and honors banquet, the Page 2 office is also moving forward with a new name that celebrates the past and creates an excit- Excerpt from Susun ing vision for our future. Xiong’s Senior Address Page 3 The Hedgeman Center for Student Diversity Initiatives and Programs has replaced the former Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA) office, the name we’ve had since Fall Honors & Awards 2001. Named after Hamline University’s first graduate of color, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Pages 3-4 from the class of 1922, the Hedgeman Center’s vision is to help build an inclusive environ- Photos from Hedgeman ment that appreciates, celebrates, and advances student and campus diversity. Honors & Awards Page 5 "Since being introduced to Ms. Hedgeman's life and contributions to Hamline University and our country, I have been in awe of her. The opportunity to continue Hedgeman's legacy Other Award Events at Hamline by renaming the MISA Office after her is an amazing opportunity, honor and Page 6 testament to her place in our community,” said Carlos D. Sneed, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Community. “Like Hedgeman herself, the office that now bears her name is deeply and New Officers passionately committed to issues of diversity, inclusion, justice, and positive social change." Page 7 Graduating Seniors In particular, The Hedgeman Center provides services, resources, and initiatives that Page 8 assist students with successful transitions, meaningful experiences and graduation from the university. We offer personal, social, and cultural support to students and encourage aca- demic success. We also create opportunities for students to embrace, celebrate and learn about diverse ethnic, ra- cial, cultural, and social identities. International student services, previously overseen by the MISA Office, are now fully supported by the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs. The Hedgeman Center continues to report to Poonam Arora, Associate Vice President for Diversity Integration. Carlos, Bao, Trung, Tia, Keisha, Caite, Shawyn, Jesada Anna Arnold was born on July 5, 1899 in Marshalltown, Minnesota. When Anna was a child, her family moved to Anoka, Minnesota where they were the only black family in the community. Her father created a home environment that prioritized education and a strong work ethic. Young Anna learned how to read at home and was not allowed to attend school until she was seven years old. After graduating from high school in 1918, Arnold was accepted into Hamline Univer- sity, a Methodist college in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated four years later with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, the first American graduate of color to earn a degree at Hamline University. While at Hamline, Arnold heard Dr. W.E.B. DuBois give an address and was inspired to become an educator. Unable to complete her student teaching requirements in St. Paul, Anna taught English to first-year students at Hamline. Immediately after graduation, Arnold accepted a teaching position at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi, the oldest of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She taught English and history there for two years. While in Mississippi she experienced racial segregation and discrimination for the first time, which led to her later involvement in the civil rights movement. In 1924, Arnold left Holly Springs to begin a career with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Between 1924-1938 she was executive director of YWCA facilities in Springfield (Ohio), Jersey City (New Jersey), Harlem (New York), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and Brooklyn (New York). In 1936, Arnold married Merritt A. Hedgeman, an opera and folk music performer. In 1944 Anna Arnold Hedgeman was appointed to be the Executive Director of the National Committee for a Permanent Fair Employment Practices Commission. She also served briefly as Assistant Dean of Women at Howard University, as a Public Relations Consultant for Fuller Products Company, and as the Associate Editor and Columnist for the New York Age. In 1948, she worked on the Harry Truman Presidential campaign. From 1954 to 1958, Anna Arnold Hedgeman served in the cabinet of New York Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Jr. and was the first black woman to hold that position. By the early 1960s, Hedgeman was well-respected as a civic leader and helped A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin plan the 1963 March on Washington, which brought over 250,000 people to the nation's capital. As the Coordinator of Special Events for the Commission of Religion and Race of the National Council of Churches, Hedgeman recruited over 40,000 Protestants who participated in the August 28, 1963 march. It was at this momentous occasion that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. By the 1970s, Hedgeman was a frequent lecturer at historically black colleges and universities in the U.S. She also wrote two books about her life's work: The Trumpet Sounds (1964), and The Gift of Chaos (1977). Both Howard University and Hamline University have awarded Hedgeman honorary doctor degrees. Anna Arnold Hedgeman passed away on January 17, 1990. In addition to the Center for Student Diversity Initiatives and Programs (formerly MISA), Hamline University also awards an endowed scholarship which bears Anna Arnold Hedgeman’s name. Excerpt from the Senior Address given by Susun Xiong: “Each and every one of us has a Hamline story that is unique to our experiences. Our Hamline story has shaped who we are today. It has cultivated our growth, expanded our perspectives, provided us with the opportunities to make life-long friendships, and strengthened our community of color on and off campus… The college experience is a process, similar to obtaining a tattoo….” “To others, my tattoos are simply ink forever imbedded in my skin and my Hamline degree is nothing more than a piece of cardstock paper symbolizing a college degree. However, to me, my tattoos and my personal Hamline experi- ence are an integral part of who I am and who I will be…” “These experiences will not only eternally live with me, but will serve as a reminder of how Hamline has molded me into a more socially conscious version of who I was always meant to be. This experience has transformed my thinking in ways I simply cannot begin to describe. It is because of Hamline, that I have discovered my passion for borderless love and justice for all and my voice that is often unapologetic and filled with joy. I love that new meaning is created when I look at my tattoos and reflect on my time at Hamline. I hope all of you will also take the time to reflect on your Hamline experience and discover new meaning that deeply represent you as an individual, and you as a person, who too, is intricately tied to a larger community….” Barbara Simmons Pat Paterson Endowed Merv Meyers-Jeff Nash “Eagle” Award Prize in Leadership Scholarship Susun Xiong Mikaela Fisher Caite Eilenberg 3 HEDGEMAN HONORS & AWARDS RECIPIENTS Outstanding First-Year Award Leavy Oliver Director’s Award Kevin Yang & Yakasah Wehyee Jesada Moua & Alba Romero Outstanding Sophomore Award Outstanding Ally Award Salisa Grant Jozie Nummi Outstanding Junior Award Outstanding Staff Award Trung Le Nguyen Javier Gutierrez Outstanding Senior Award Outstanding Staff Award Cat Polivoda Jean Strait 4 Multicultural Alliance Student Organization of-the-Year Hmong Student Association 5 STUDENT ACITIVITIES & UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP AWARDS HONORS DAY Wednesday, May 4, 2011 Wednesday, May 5, 2011 Student Center HUB; 7:00 PM Hamline Methodist Church: 10:30 AM The Student Activities Awards provides Raygor Scholarship Lisa Fralish an opportunity for students to be recognized for their contributions to James Thatcher Ritchie, Jr. Award Maggie Briggs‐Dineen the Hamline community through involvement in co‐curricular activities George Wesley Linares Scholarship including student organizations, Melissa Simington leadership development program Management Alumni Award and campus events. Jose Paiz Leonardo Houle Endowed Scholarship for Economics Rising Star Awards Quynh Dang Falhad Ali Karl Van D’Elden Prize Jamie Kruse Cat Polivoda Alex Arana Betty R. Green Memorial Award Mikaela Fisher Spirit of Hamline George Henry Bridgman Prize in Poetry Karyn Cave Salisa Grant Hamline University Diversity Award Outstanding Advisor Award Asho Kalif Carlos D. Sneed Anna Arnold Hedgeman Scholarship William Gbolo Legacy Award Racial Justice Award Cat Polivoda Jesada Moua Outstanding Student Organization Calribelle B. Olson Award Lynne Chung Hmong Student Association Hancock Hamline Collaboration Leadership Award Outstanding Student Tutor Award Fadumo Yakob Michael Riley Hancock Hamline Collaboration Outstanding Student Volunteer Award LaWenKa Award Jasmine Jeter Amanda Loth Allan T. H. Bluhm Award Lisa Fralish 6 For more information on our student organizations, please visit us at http://www.hamline.edu/offices/misa/student-orgs.html Students for a Free Tibet Spectrum Students of South Asia President: Asif Choudhury President: Tenzin Nangsel President: Jaime Kruse Vice President: Chia Chang Vice President: Tenzin Choney Vice President: Garialle Landsrerk Secretary: Esha Seth Secretary: Alicia Franck Treasurer: Becca Paul Mission: Event Coordinator: Zev Nicholson Secretary: Shelly Thomack Treasurer: Saswat Gorkhali Students for a Free Tibet works in solidar‐ PR: Leah Barton ity with the Tibetan people in their struggle Mission: for freedom and independence. Through edu‐ Mission: SOSA is dedicated to diversity and exploring cation, grassroots organizing, and non‐violent Spectrum is dedicated to creating an South Asian Cultures. As an organization, direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ awareness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and SOSA prides itself in celebrating, debating, fundamental right to political freedom.