FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:                                              

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Communications and Marketing

Sheila Champlin – (901) 448-4957, schampli@uthsc.edu

 

 

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Celebrates

50 Years of African-American Achievement

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 Memphis, Tenn. (January 26, 2011) – The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will celebrate 50 Years of African-American Achievement throughout 2011 as a way to recognize the accomplishments of African-American alumni and students.  This celebration is being held in conjunction with other campuses within the University of Tennessee system.  This year is especially significant for UTHSC since the main campus in Memphis is marking its centennial anniversary in 2011: 100 years advancing the future of health care.

“UTHSC has demonstrated a consistent commitment to diversity since the desegregation of the Health Science Center and the Geier Consent Decree,” said UTHSC Chancellor Steve Schwab.  “We continue to be progressive in supporting equal opportunities for African-Americans to succeed in all areas of our institution – from student enrollment and retention, to hiring and retention of faculty and staff.”

During the year-long celebration of African-American Achievement, UTHSC will also focus on encouraging African-American alumni and student interactions, and on building African-American alumni relations -- i.e., participation, volunteerism and networking -- through a series of events that will include:

The Black Student Association (BSA) Awards Ball: The official kick-off event for 50 Years of African American Achievement will feature Alvin Crawford, MD, the first African-American graduate (1964) from the UTHSC College of Medicine, as keynote speaker.  Dr. Crawford is one of the historic yet modern-day health care pioneers featured in the UTHSC Centennial Book, an oversized coffee-table book on sale through the university bookstore Web site – http://www.uthsc.bncollege.com.  With Dr. Crawford’s participation, the annual BSA Ball is certain to have special significance this year.  The location for the ball is the Memphis Marriott Downtown on Saturday, February 26.  The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. (cash bar), followed by the dinner and awards ball at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $35 each for UTHSC students and $45 each for UTHSC faculty, staff and the public.  Contact Elise Moore for additional information at (901) 448-5618 or emoore@uthsc.edu.    

            A Celebration Luncheon: On Saturday, May 28, a noon luncheon will be held to recognize new African-American graduates from UTHSC’s spring commencement as well as their families.  The event will also acknowledge UT alumni who currently work as administrators and faculty at UTHSC.  As we celebrate 50 Years of African-American Achievement throughout the University of Tennessee system, currently enrolled UTHSC African-American students who are graduates from other UT campuses (i.e., Knoxville, Martin and Chattanooga) will also be invited to join the luncheon.  The luncheon is provided gratis for new graduates and UT alumni.  The cost is $20 per ticket for all other faculty, staff and the members of the public.  The luncheon is $15 for UTHSC students. 

A Wine Down Reception: On Friday, September 16, the Soulsville/Stax Museum will be the site for alumni and student guests to gather for a wine reception with tasty hors d'oeuvres, live music and a museum tour.  The event will recognize African-American Achievements at UTHSC, but also encourage networking between alumni and students, in addition to encouraging participants to become more involved with UTHSC Alumni Affairs and the UT Alumni Association through volunteering, fundraising and networking.  The event will be held from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.   The reception cost is $20 per ticket for UTHSC faculty and staff, and $15 for UTHSC students.   

UTHSC Diversity Day: This African-American college student recruitment program will be held on Saturday, November 12, on the UTHSC main campus in Memphis.  

For more information about UT Health Science Center’s year-long program to mark 50 Years of African-American Achievement, please contact the UTHSC Office of Equity and Diversity by telephone -- (901) 448-2112; by e-mail -- hsc-oed@uthsc.edu or through our Website -- www.uthsc.edu/oed/50years.php.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to bring the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public service.  In 2011, UT Health Science Center celebrates its centennial: 100 years advancing the future of health care.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main UTHSC campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The UTHSC campus in Knoxville includes a College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  In addition, the UTHSC Chattanooga campus includes a College of Medicine and an Allied Health Sciences unit.  Since its founding in 1911, UTHSC has educated and trained more than 53,000 health care professionals on campuses and in health care facilities across the state.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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