By Kesha Williams
Director of Digital Marketing and Engaged Communication
I was standing right there looking at the pictures on the wall and then I saw him…
On Monday Sept. 19, 2016, I attended the Open House of the new Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center in 300 Brackett Hall. Since I had been one of the people within the University Relations division promoting the event, I was happy to see the result of our promotional effort.
I found Gantt Center staff, students and faculty and staff from all of over campus celebrating the new location.
One of the features of the new location was photos of students from underrepresented groups through the years at Clemson since Harvey Gantt led Clemson’s integration on January 28, 1963.
And right there on the wall…I saw a photo that featured my older brother, Gerald Boyce. At Clemson, he was known as Dwayne (his first name) . He was holding the other side of banner during a student march in the late 1980s with a powerful question: Civil Rights Movement in the 1980’s: Progression Or Regression?
It was a “wow” moment from me. Someone in my family connected to a significant moment in Clemson history and the photo was now on the wall for anyone visiting 300 Bracket Hall to see.
I can’t help but consider some of the battles he and his classmates were fighting then and in the wake of what is happening in our nation and world some 30 years later – students of color are still fighting similar battles.
I began working at Clemson 33 months ago, but my first introductions to the campus came through my older brother when he began his undergraduate study during the fall of 1987.
To be honest, I remember the campus being friendly (but hot). It still is. We visited as a family to attend football games, tailgates and gospel choir concerts because he was a member.
Clemson’s story is told through the moments and experiences of the students that learn and grow on this campus. Students who become leaders. Students who use their voices, talents and intellect in new and amazing ways. Students who build relationships through communities that last even until this day. My brother still is friends with many people he met during his time here.
Gantt Center is worth visiting not just because my brother’s picture is on the wall but there are other pictures too. There are pictures of students celebrating their culture through festivals. There are pictures of the students that founded some of Clemson’s early Black Greek organizations. Three are pictures of student athletes who braved being “the only one” as Clemson athletics were becoming integrated.
It’s also pretty interesting because I was doing some research for the #ClemsonHistory project which aims to use social media to support telling the full history of Clemson University through the people who have studied, taught and worked here.
I was reviewing the video recording of “ Through The Decades — The Student Experience At Clemson Since Integration on YouTube. November 2012 marked the 50th anniversary celebration of Clemson’s integration and featured alumni through the years.
It’s a reminder that history matters to us even now and to make the most of each moment because who knows where those moments and connections may take you from here or in my case – back home.
