The Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association, founded in 1972 during a time of social change in the United States that prompted the College to begin admitting more black students, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year as a network for black students and alumni. To celebrate, BADA will host a series of events over Homecoming weekend for alumni and their families, according to BADA President Ellis Rowe '74.
The association was born out of a heightened interest in forming an alumni association specific to black students, according to Norman Brown '74, who was in his sophomore year at the College when the group formed. Brown is the BADA "decade representative" for the Classes of 1970-1979.
"There was no hierarchy outside of campus," Brown said. "There was no one to reengage with us or mentor us. We needed a voice, and BADA helped us get that voice."
The association was very active immediately following its formation during the 1970s, according to Sharon Barnes '89, BADA decade representative for the Classes of 1980-1989.
"BADA brought a distinct culture and tried to integrate African-American students into the school in a more meaningful way," she said.
BADA first saw a membership of about 300 alumni in 1972 and has since grown to a current network of over 3,300 members due to the increase in class sizes and the number of black students admitted to the College, according to Rowe. All black alumni automatically become part of BADA upon graduation.
Throughout the last 30 years, BADA has actively taken part in campus life by giving scholarships to deserving black students and underwriting expenses for the athletic department, and two members currently sit on the Board of Trustees, Brown said. BADA also helps bring speakers to campus for lectures and talks, including the inaugural E.E. Just Symposium, which took place Sept. 27-29.
Crishuana Williams '12 said that Dartmouth's black alumni association makes it easier for graduates to navigate the College's vast alumni network.
"It breaks the process into bite-sized pieces." Williams said. "It's nice to be able to have something that works with aspects of your identity other than class year and region."
BADA also offers opportunities for current students to interact with black alumni, according to DaVeon Smith '15, alumni relations chair of the Afro-American Society. Smith attended "The Price is Right" game show with alumni that he met through BADA in September.
The group's main priority is to help black students gain equal access to "the Dartmouth experience" by providing opportunities like travel abroad programs and internships, Barnes said. BADA also connects black students and alumni with one another socially and professionally.
"The alumni connections add to your experience and quality of life while you are [at Dartmouth] and once you leave," Barnes said.
Students can easily become involved with BADA if they are looking to connect with alumni, Afro-American Society President Nikkita McPherson '13 said.
"We don't wait until we graduate to use the network," she said. "They are very receptive to ideas."
BADA will celebrate its 40th anniversary over Homecoming weekend, with events will including luncheons, workshops and a rededication of Cutter-Shabazz Hall, as well as appearances by Interim College President Carol Folt and members of the Board of Trustees.
BADA expects between 250 and 300 alumni to attend the events, in addition to faculty, students and families of the alumni, Rowe said. BADA has previously hosted alumni events in the spring with lower turnouts.
"The goal is not to be isolated," Brown said. "Homecoming engages everyone because so many people are in Hanover."
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of coeducation and the introduction of the Native American studies program to the College.
"It is an awesome time to look at the progress of our little microcosm at Dartmouth," Barnes said. "We are moving in a direction that's good, and our first-class education is available to all kinds of students from all walks of life."
