Last modified: Thursday, September 2, 2010
IU's Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center presents 'BSO Live!' on Sept. 10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 2, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center at Indiana University Bloomington will present the fourth annual Black Student Orientation next Friday (Sept. 10) at 6 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the center, 275 N. Jordan Ave.
This innovative program, which has gained national attention and is now copied at other universities, is designed to provide a welcoming event that showcases the resources of IU and the surrounding Bloomington community.
Research shows that black students' academic success is linked to their feelings of acceptance and cultural affirmation, especially on large white majority campuses.
This year, the format will be a simulated television talk show, "BSO Live," featuring an "Oprah-like" host, Virginia Githiri. She is an accomplished vocalist, business entrepreneur and doctoral candidate in IU School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
There will be a house band led by professor Keith McCutchen, director of the African American Choral Ensemble, and other guests who will dispense advice and entertainment geared to promoting academic success and offer opportunities for making the most out of the college experience.
Among the guests will be Toyah L. Miller, Eli Lilly & Co. Faculty Fellow and assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship in the Kelley School of Business, and Elizabeth Mitchell , a local historian and collector of black memorabilia.
In addition, there will be exhibitors from IU offices, community and faith-based organizations and local businesses. The exhibitors and sponsors will be allowed to present 30-second video "commercials" that advertise their programs. The event will conclude with a traditional fish fry.
Audrey T. McCluskey, director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, said that last year's event attracted a capacity audience that was representative of the campus's diverse community.
"We expect a great turnout because students appreciate the fact that we're here for them and that we're never satisfied with the status quo," she said. "We want students to take that attitude into the classroom with them and into everything they do here -- and beyond. Most of all, we want our students to claim Indiana University as their own."
The event is free and open to the public.
