History

In 1972, three Black SIUC alumni met in Chicago to discuss how they could perpetuate the friendships they had developed in Carbondale and, at the same time, assist Black students planning to attend SIUC. Dwight Campbell, Eric Grant and Dan Thomas helped to organize what was to become the not-for-profit corporation, "The Black Association of SIU."

From 1975 to 1978, this organization held two fund raisers each year -- a Thanksgiving day dance and a Las Vegas Night -- to raise funds for scholarships. Eighteen students were awarded $500 each during this period. In 1978, this group also helped organize a Black alumni reunion on the SIUC campus with approximately 200 persons attending. The organization tried to get official recognition as part of The SIU Alumni Association, but was not accepted. The group became inactive in 1980.

In 1985, a group of SIUC alumni based in California (including Sharon Banks, Rose Garnett, and Stevie Stephens) helped plan a Black alumni reunion for 1986 in Carbondale. They contacted SIU alumna Pat McNeil, who was living in Carbondale, and asked for assistance in contacting other Black alumni. These efforts resulted in a July reunion that was attended by approximately 350 persons. The keynote speaker was William A. Butts, then President of the SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors. It was decided that another reunion would be held in 1988.

After the 1986 reunion, Pat McNeil was hired as an SIU Alumni Association staff member. With her assistance, a group of Black alumni petitioned to be recognized as an official Southern Illinois University Alumni Association affiliate group. As the 1988 reunion was being planned, several meetings were held between this group and members of the Alumni Association's Board of Directors. Though some expressed reservations in doing so, in June 1988, a charter was issued to The Black Alumni Group of The Southern Illinois University Alumni Association.

The purpose of BAG is to:

	maintain, nurture and advance the BAG by its member and, through them, assist Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in its goals of instructions, research and service;
	keep alive professional, social and educational relationships developed while at SIUC;
	provide assistance, guidance and support to SIUC alumni from the African diaspora;
	assist SIUC in maintaining, updating and gathering records on graduates and former students;
	recognize members' outstanding achievements;
	solicit gifts to be used for and on behalf of SIUC, its faculty, students and staff; and
	assist SIUC in the recruitment, retention, financial assistance and career development of students of Black African descent.

BAG's first officers were: John S. Holmes, President; Richard Hayes, Vice President; Linda Flowers, Secretary; and Doris Weaver, Treasurer. At the 1988 reunion, approximately 400 people were in attendance and the first Support Black Undergraduate Education scholarships were awarded. A vote was taken to hold the reunions biennially during odd-numbered years beginning in 1991.

BAG Presidents

2007 - 2009	C. Lynn White '79
2003 - 2007	Susan Smith Ross '80
1999 - 2003	Hubert H. Avent '69
1995 - 1999	LaMar D. Gentry '70
1991 - 1995	Richard Reynolds '56, '57
1988 - 1991	John S. Holmes '66, '72

Fall near SIU's Campus Lake

History