Jan. 19: Spelman Raises Matching Funds for Audre Lorde Queer Studies Chair

Spelman Raises Matching Funds for Audre Lorde Queer Studies Chair

Spelman College has raised the matching funds to philanthropist Jon Stryker’s gift to fund the first-ever Queer Studies chair at a historically Black college or university. In October of 2019, Stryker kicked off the initiative with a $400,000 donation and will now provide the remaining $1.6 million of his total $2 million gift.

Named after celebrated poet and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, the chair will support the Comparative Women’s Studies program housed at Spelman’s Women’s Research and Resource Center.

Lorde had a strong connection to Spelman, speaking on campus on several occasions and donating her personal papers and other artifacts in 1995 to the Spelman Archives.

"Jon Stryker’s consistent support of Spelman’s mission has enabled the College to take a leadership role in Queer Studies at HBCUs," said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. "We are grateful for his generous support that continues to elevate the importance of this work in the academic environment."

The selection process for the chair will be determined by a committee, made up of campus leaders and faculty in the Department of Comparative Women’s Studies.

AUC Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective to Graduate Inaugural Class

Even though Jordan Dantzler, a senior art major and curatorial studies minor, has always been interested in the arts, she wasn’t always sure about her future career options when she chose the major.

All of that changed after taking a trip sponsored by the AUC Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective to New York City.

"When I saw Black women leading in this area, it made me realize that I could do this," Dantzler said. "I knew that I could be a curator at a museum and change the way we are seen."

This spring, Dantzler will join nine other students as the inaugural graduating class. Housed at Spelman, the AUC Art Collective is designed for future art historians, curators, museum professionals and those pursuing a career in the visual arts. The program enrolls students from Clark Atlanta University, More house College and Spelman.

Currently, there are 29 students in the academic program.

"These are students who want to make a difference in the art world, who want to elevate art created by people of African descent," said Cheryl Finley, Ph.D., director of the AUC Art Collective. "Our students can go out and design the best web-based platform for selling African American art, become scholars, become curators of history, art and manuscripts, or directors of a museum."

Junior Named to Inaugural #RealCollege Advisory Council

Ciara Terry, C’2022, is among the 23 students selected to serve on the inaugural #RealCollege Student Leadership Advisory Council of The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice.

"I am grateful to Spelman’s political science and education departments for preparing me for this endeavor and for The Hope Center for choosing me," said Terry. "Having the opportunity to expound on issues affecting HBCUs, and how those issues are exacerbated into our learning environments is monumental in the pursuits of education equity for marginalized communities. I am honored."

With the understanding that their stories reflect the diverse experiences of today’s students, advisory council members will provide feedback on key initiatives in the areas of applied research, institutional transformation, policy and advocacy.

Alumna to Lead New Programs and Exhibitions Department for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Calinda Lee, Ph.D., C’92, has been named inaugural head of programs and exhibitions for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

In this new position, Dr. Lee will focus on delivering the Center's mission to inspire and empower people to use their reflections of the past to create equity and fairness in the present.

"The Center’s understanding of the museum as a place of education, inspiration—and, ultimately, as a catalyst for change—is visionary," said Dr. Lee. "Art and history and frame-changing programs connect at the Center to advance civil and human rights. I am honored to ‘work on purpose’ alongside this team."