Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center |
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| Former names | Black Student Union Cultural Center |
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| Location | Oregon State University, Corvallis Campus |
| Address | 100 SW Memorial Place Corvallis, OR 97331 |
The Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center is a special place at Oregon State University. It's a community hub where Black students and their allies can gather, learn, and celebrate their culture. It helps students feel welcome and supported on campus.
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History of the Center
The Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center has an important history. It opened on April 26, 1975. Before that, in 1970, Oregon State University started an office to help minority students.
The university decided to open several cultural centers around this time. This happened because the Black Student Union was very concerned about unfair treatment. They even considered leaving OSU. Other centers opened too, like the Native American Longhouse in 1971.
A year after the center opened, in 1976, a symbol of hate was burned outside the building. The people responsible said it was a "prank that got out of hand." Even though this was a very serious act, Black student leaders on campus met with the person involved. They asked for the university to be understanding about the punishment.
Who Was Lonnie B. Harris?
The center was renamed in 1999 to honor Lonnie B. Harris. He was the first director of a program called Educational Opportunities. His main goal was to help more Black students join and stay at Oregon State University. He worked hard to make sure they felt supported and could succeed.
The Black Student Union's Start
The Black Student Union at Oregon State University started in 1969. This happened after a Black football player was removed from the team. He was told to shave his afro hairstyle and sideburns, and he refused.
This made many Black students on campus very angry. As a protest, 47 Black students walked out of their classes and activities. This led to many discussions and, finally, the creation of the Black Student Union.
What the Center Looks Like
The Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center moved temporarily in 2013. This was so a new building could be constructed for the center.
Where to Find the Center
The center is located at: 100 SW Memorial Place Corvallis, OR 97331
