Spring Break
Students bring diversity to CSU
High schoolers research and discuss issues unique to the black community
Shari Blackman
Issue date: 6/25/08 Section: News
Brown's friend from Overland High, Eriq Shipp, wants to be a dentist, but will pursue a bachelor's degree in business first. He's not sure if he'll choose CSU, but he praised the Black Issues Forum.
"I like that they keep us busy and that they're giving us the thank-yous," Shipp said. "It's hard to get recognized for what you're doing."
Alexandria Grant of Dallas echoed Shipp's sentiments.
"I want to prove to the whole society that black women aren't just out there having babies and black men aren't all going to jail. We can do valuable things in society," said Grant, who plans to study political science.
Lawrence Martin, from Chicago, Ill., wants to be a pharmacist and help bring affordable health insurance to low-income consumers, especially those in the black community. Martin said his participation in the Black Issues Forum has made him want to stop procrastinating and get started on his plans to promote a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease when he goes back to his high school.
Days in the program are activity-packed starting at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast in Parmelee Hall, and proceeding to library research, small group discussions and leadership workshops, or speakers on topics informing students on how to plan for college and what CSU has to offer. Finally, at 9 p.m., networking or a social activity caps the day's learning.
Though Grant said the days are long, "It's not work. It's just bonding."
"I came in a little timid," she said, "but it's maturing me. I'm finding out what qualities I possess."
Proud parents and grandparents attended Saturday morning to support and observe student presentations in the Lory Student Center. Tracy Lovett was the assistant director of Admissions at CSU when she worked with others to develop BIF. Sixteen years later she sat in the packed East Ballroom to watch her daughter, Zuri Randell, a student at Colorado Academy in Denver, deliver her group presentation. In Lovett's family, CSU is a tradition. She earned her bachelor's degree at CSU and her father also did his graduate studies here.
"It's a blessing that the university has committed all these years to this program," Lovett said. "I feel very fortunate."
Staff writer Shari Blackman can be reached at news@collegian.com.
"I like that they keep us busy and that they're giving us the thank-yous," Shipp said. "It's hard to get recognized for what you're doing."
Alexandria Grant of Dallas echoed Shipp's sentiments.
"I want to prove to the whole society that black women aren't just out there having babies and black men aren't all going to jail. We can do valuable things in society," said Grant, who plans to study political science.
Lawrence Martin, from Chicago, Ill., wants to be a pharmacist and help bring affordable health insurance to low-income consumers, especially those in the black community. Martin said his participation in the Black Issues Forum has made him want to stop procrastinating and get started on his plans to promote a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease when he goes back to his high school.
Days in the program are activity-packed starting at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast in Parmelee Hall, and proceeding to library research, small group discussions and leadership workshops, or speakers on topics informing students on how to plan for college and what CSU has to offer. Finally, at 9 p.m., networking or a social activity caps the day's learning.
Though Grant said the days are long, "It's not work. It's just bonding."
"I came in a little timid," she said, "but it's maturing me. I'm finding out what qualities I possess."
Proud parents and grandparents attended Saturday morning to support and observe student presentations in the Lory Student Center. Tracy Lovett was the assistant director of Admissions at CSU when she worked with others to develop BIF. Sixteen years later she sat in the packed East Ballroom to watch her daughter, Zuri Randell, a student at Colorado Academy in Denver, deliver her group presentation. In Lovett's family, CSU is a tradition. She earned her bachelor's degree at CSU and her father also did his graduate studies here.
"It's a blessing that the university has committed all these years to this program," Lovett said. "I feel very fortunate."
Staff writer Shari Blackman can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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