The Black Experience Project

Primary Sources: Documents Displaying Black History

Written documents, whether they be personal correspondences, records, or other materials from different periods are essential for understanding history. In them, we can often find information that helps us piece together a narrative of the past that was previously lost to time. Below are documents that help to share the story of Seton Hill University's Black community, as well as the involvement of those who helped to support it. Each source is expandable by clicking the icon in its top right corner.

Letter from President James A. Reeves to Dean Jose of Saint Elizabeth College Discussing Black Enrollment

1937

In this letter from President Reeves to Saint Elizabeth College's Dean José, he asks her to share her experience and process for the admission of Black students.

Reeves_Letters.pdf

Response from Dean Jose of Saint Elizabeth College to President James A. Reeves

1937

In this letter Saint Elizabeth College's Dean José outlines the admissions process for their singular Black student, as well as believed responses from students and parents.

Reeves_Letters0001.pdf

Soul Rap Editorial; First Page of an Early Edition of S.O.U.L.'s Newspaper

Est. 1969

This is the cover page of the first edition of Soul Rap, Seton Hill's first Black student organization's publication. It was a collection of poetry, articles, and other entries about Black life. This edition introduces the group and its goals for Seton Hill University.

SOUL_001.pdf

Letter from 3 Black Students to Faculty Requesting Diversity in Courses

1971

In this letter, members of Seton Hill's first Black student organization, S.O.U.L., write to the members of the Education, Psychology, and Sociology departments expressing their frustrations with the ignoring of minorities in the programs' curriculums. They also provide suggestions for how the issue can be addressed.

Letter re Diversity in Courses_1971 (1).jpg

Setonian Entry; SUCCESS (Students United for Continuous Cultural Experience and Setonian Support) Is Founded and States Its Goals

1987

In 1987, the group SUCCESS launched on Seton Hill's campus. Though it was founded by Black students to bring awareness to social issues faced by Black people and be a safe space for them, the club's President Vesta Wilds stated her desire for them to work with other members of the student body in order to create a more knowledgeable campus.

DEI_0009.pdf

Setonian Entry; Student April Jones Shares her Personal Experience as a Black Student at Seton Hill College

1989

This article, an interview with student April Jackson, provided her with the opportunity to share her perspective as a Black woman on campus during the 1980's. She provides readers with a real and unfiltered narrative, identifying instances where she felt stereotyped, as well as a victim of bigotry and ignorance. She also shares how these experiences helped to shape who she became.

DEI_0007.pdf

Setonian Entry; Seton Hill's New Affirmative Action Committee Establishes Their Goals

1990

In 1990, Seton Hill University for the first time organized an Affirmative Action Committee to be composed of faculty, students, and administrators. The purpose of this committee, according to this article, was to "establish, defend and ensure equity and diversity on the campus."

DEI_0010.pdf

Setonian Entry; Seton Hill College Black Alumnae Association Becomes a Resource for Black Students and Plans Black History Month Events

1991

The Seton Hill College Black Alumnae Association was formed in 1990 to provide a sense of community for current Black students. They aimed to combat the feeling of isolation that many African-American students who attend P.W.I.s (primarily white institutions) experience, and provide them with networking opportunities.

DEI_0013.pdf

DEI_0014.pdf

Setonian Entry; Welcoming Barbara Rogers to the Seton Hill Faculty; One of Two Black Female Faculty Members at the Time

1992

This article welcomes Barbara Rogers, who in 1992 became one of two Black women on the professional staff. During her time here, she developed a one-credit class, African-American Culture, and its popularity made way for the creation of another course that dove into the social history and issues within African-American families. Her goal was to provide "more linkage for African-American students with the African-American population at other campuses and in the community."

DEI_0012.pdf

Setonian Entry; Students Express Experiences With Racism On Campus

1993

Setonian contributor Erin Sestock speaks to multiple Seton Hill College students to document the unfortunate realities of being a Black person attending a PWI (primarily white institution). This article reveals the students' blatant and suppressed experiences with racism.

IMG_5084.pdf