Susquehanna University - 1980 to 1989

The wisest investment in 1989? Stock in a hair spray company. The hair trends of the day required lots and lots of hair spray!

Gertrude James '89, a philosophy major, helped to form the organization Minority Concerns. The club's goal was to "take out cultural monotony and replace it with cultural diversity". The idea to form the club took root in 1988. There was a noted lack of minority students at Susquehanna University. Ms. James' role in the group was to help minority students with any problems they might have and to coordinate efforts within the University to address these problems. The group presented radio shows during Black History month on WQSU, about black figures who contributed to history, guest speakers such as Robert Kalamho, who spoke of his native country, Namibia, and Griot music programs involving traditional music and story telling.

The Student Association for Cultural Awareness was formed for minority and other interested students with the goal of sharing and cultivating differences as well as promoting cultural awareness throughout the campus community.

Seen in this 1987 photo are the members of SHOE (Students Helping Our Elderly). Participants visited the Selinsgrove Senior Center every day to talk and play cards or bingo with the elderly. Members also provided services such as raking leaves, shoveling snow and moving furniture.