Showing 31 - 40 of 436 Items
Statement by Therese Cahill Low collected by Rachel George on November 4, 2014
Date: 2014-11-04
Creator: Therese Cahill Low
Access: Open access
Statement by Donna (Dawn Neptune) Adams on March 17, 2014
Date: 2014-03-17
Creator: Donna Adams
Access: Open access
Statement by Alivia Moore collected by Heather Westleigh on November 4, 2014
Date: 2014-11-04
Creator: Alivia Moore
Access: Open access
Alumni Oral Histories
- This project provides Bowdoin alumni an opportunity to share stories from their time at the College via brief oral history interviews conducted by Special Collections & Archives staff. Interviewees are encouraged to recount stories of what brought them to the College, pre-orientation trip memories, campus life, study abroad, and the people that shaped their Bowdoin experience, from fellow students to faculty and staff.
Interview with Awa Diaw (Class of 2011) by Aisha Rickford
Date: 2019-11-09
Creator: Awa Diaw
Access: Open access
- Awa Diaw ‘11 talks about the experience of moving from the diverse community of Harlem, New York to snowy Brunswick, ME, and how it was one of her first times being around white students in an academic setting, which she calls a “cultural transition.” Diaw, reflects on learning to use Bowdoin’s resources and how to get support where she needed it, and recalls incidents of racial bias experienced by Bowdoin students during her time at the College. One of these culminated in a moment in Diaw’s junior year when, frustrated with the administration’s response to a particularly disturbing incident, Diaw and a committee of other students created a campaign called I Am Bowdoin, which elevated the voices of students who felt marginalized at Bowdoin.
Interview with Symone Howard (Class of 2015), Ashley Musana (Class of 2016), Briana Cardwell (Class of 2017), and Rebkah Tesfamariam (Class of 2018) by Nate DeMoranville
Date: 2019-11-10
Creator: Symone Howard, Ashley Musana, Briana Cardwell, Rebkah Tesfamariam
Access: Open access
- Symone Howard ’15, Ashley Musana ’16, Briana Cardwell ’17, and Rebkah Tesfamariam ’18 were four consecutive presidents of the African American Society. They were the last to preside over the organization before the name changed to Black Student Union. They discuss the numerous challenges each encountered during their time here, which coincided with large scale instances of cultural appropriation, including Cracksgiving, the Gangster Party, and the Tequila Party. Musana, who was president for both parties, recounts the long hours spent working with students and administrators to sustain and support community. All four presidents recognize the tremendous burden placed on them as individuals, but all express gratitude for having created such a close knit community.
Interview with Randy Stakeman by Marcus Williams
Date: 2019-11-10
Creator: Randy Stakeman
Access: Open access
- Randy Stakeman came to Bowdoin in 1978, not as a student, but as a member of the faculty. He discusses the history of the Africana Studies program, which he chaired from 1989 until his retirement in 2006. Stakeman also discusses his position as Acting Dean of Students, which he held for a brief period of time early in his career. He worked diligently to help bridge the achievement gap between black and white students. Stakeman partnered with faculty across the college to give special attention and support to underachieving students. He remembers fondly the role of the John B. Russwurm Center, where black students could congregate and find support. He says the house created a community, which he cherished.
Interview with Robert Johnson (Class of 1971) by Aisha Rickford
Date: 2019-11-10
Creator: Robert Johnson
Access: Open access
- Robert Johnson, Class of 1971, talks about his first visit to Bowdoin in 1967 with a friend, and being involved with BUCRO, the Bowdoin Undergraduate Civil Rights Organization. There, he met Virgil Logan, president of BUCRO and an instrumental face on campus and in the Bowdoin African American Society. Johnson details how Afam came about after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr out of a desire to form community. Johnson then became the first President of the AfroAm at Bowdoin College. Johnson talks about how critical AfAm was for him and fellow black students isolated from their respective communities and drove black students to organize, and change racist systems. He shares stories of activism and resistance carried out on campus, specifically one where the black students on campus went silent and marched across campus to protest the lack of action on part of the Bowdoin administration as far as ensuring racial diversity in future classes. He also talks about racial incidents at Bowdoin and how Bowdoin shaped him in the years during and after graduation.
Interview with DeRay Mckesson (Class of 2007) by Nate DeMoranville
Date: 2019-11-09
Creator: DeRay Mckesson
Access: Open access
- DeRay Mckesson ’08 was a two-time president of Bowdoin Student Government, and instituted many of the programming and policies that are in place today. Mckesson shares how during his tenure he transferred several powers of the presidency onto the Executive Committee. He tasked this body with selecting members for BSG’s General Assembly but also with selecting students for institutional committees. Mckesson reaffirms his belief in the Bowdoin community, which he considers unique for its collection of highly capable individuals who believe in the bigness of the world. He discusses how he strove always to imagine new ways to serve the community and built meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
Interview with Edward Koch (Class of 1958) by Ben Bousquet
Date: 2018-06-01
Creator: Edward Koch
Access: Open access
- Edward Koch (Class of 1958) discusses the story behind his admittance to Bowdoin, his adjustment from a Minnesota upbringing, and his favorite memories. He describes his involvement in the hockey team and Glee Club. He also describes his involvement with the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, recounting hazing stories from his time as a pledge. He speaks of his friendship and tennis rivalry with future-College president Roger Howell, Jr. Koch reflects upon his sociology major and finance career, and gives advice to current and future students about designating an area of study.