The Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association rallied member support for Dartmouth Undying, an alumni organization that opposes the Association of Alumni's lawsuit against the College, at its 18th reunion held at the College last weekend.
"We are extremely upset and frustrated with this other group of alumni who are wasting so much money and resources that we could spend on tuition for the kids," BADA President Ricki Fairley-Brown '78 said. "It's not only embarrassing to the College, but if you think about how many kids could go to Dartmouth on $5 million, it's a frightening thought. It's a disgrace."
BADA also discussed its involvement in the College's presidential search process, Fairley-Brown said, pointing to the growth of the College and increased diversity as key factors that should be considered during the search.
"Clearly, the priority is someone who supports diversity, as President Wright did," she said.
The reunion event also served as "a time of fellowship" to connect alumni with students, Fairley-Brown said.
BADA has aimed to bring alumni together to support black students at Dartmouth since its inception in 1972, according to Fairley-Brown.
"Our mission for the future is clearly the same as our mission for the past -- to foster diversity at the College, support the students and to continue our mission of supporting African American students on campus," she said. The association, for example, helped fund 15 students' plans to travel to Chicago to work in an AIDS clinic in June, according to Yaa Obeng-Aduasare '10, who plans to go on the trip.
At Saturday's award ceremony, which concluded the event, BADA presented African kente shawls to graduating seniors, Fairley-Brown said.
"We are so proud of the students, and it's a welcoming ceremony -- welcoming them into BADA," she said. "They'll wear them at graduation."
In addition, Anne Kasitaza '08 received BADA's Nguzo Saba award, named for the "Seven Principles of Blackness"
"I've seen her grow, and it was good to see it all culminate into this award that I believe fits her perfectly," Obeng-Aduasare, whom Kasitaza mentors, said. "She's been a role model to me."
BADA hosts alumni on campus for similar reunions two to three times each year, Fairley-Brown said.
"I was really awed to be in the presence of Dartmouth's black alumni and see how far they've come," Obeng-Aduasare said. "BADA's involvement in the black community has helped empower us in our endeavors. The reunion is important because there are a lot of alumni here this weekend I would not have met any other way."
Simon Trabelsi '08 said a panel of students who described their Dartmouth experiences to the alumni was a particularly important part of the reunion.
"They can see the legacies they have left behind," Trabelsi said. "We're sitting here where they were sitting 15, 20 years ago."Trabelsi added that the reunion provided networking opportunities for black students.
"It's so much better than just going to career services and getting a list of alumni because this way, you get to see these people face to face," Trabelsi said. "For example, the president of BADA, Ricki, provided me with a career opportunity in advertising. I just made some phone calls and was able to get in."
