Swanky big band music played in Peeler Art Center room 203 on Friday evening as the "More than Uncommon: an African American Experience" exhibit celebrated African American history on DePauw's campus.
The exhibition displayed compiled articles from The DePauw, timelines, pictures, information about historically black greek houses at DePauw and information about African American figures from DePauw's history.
Seniors Neisha Washington and Angelique Williams conducted research for the exhibition, and Zeta Phi Beta sorority sponsored the event. Washington is a Women's Center intern who is not affiliated with a greek organization and Williams is president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
As part of their independent study during Winter Term, Washington and Williams collected information about significant events, alumni and groups that helped increase diversity on DePauw's campus. The exhibition is a visual display of their findings.
"It's inspiring to be able to learn about all of the alumni and what impacts me," sophomore Jahsway Robinson, member of Zeta Phi Beta said.
Notable alumni were honored at the event, including Tucker E. Wilson, the first African American to graduate from DePauw and Robert G. Bottoms, former DePauw president who increased the diversity amongst students and faculty.
Historically, Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLO) were featured as well, as were organizations on campus like the Association of African American Students (AAAS) and Men of Excellence in Cross Cultural Alliance (MECCA).
"I hope [the event] inspires people to be engaged in the history," Washington said. "Because it's not only about raising awareness about history, but it's about making our own history."
The exhibit also highlighted notable African American speakers such as Martin Luther King Jr., who spoke at Gobin United Methodist Church on Sept. 5, 1960.
Acts of discrimination that occurred at DePauw were included in the exhibition as well.
According to a 2007 article of The DePauw, in 1903, members of the DePauw football team refused to take the field because Wabash had an integrated team.
"Some of the challenges that black students had in the 60s are the same problems for current students today," Williams said.
Following the exhibition, visitors were invited to watch a documentary featuring the stories of 19 African American students and their experiences at DePauw adjusting to class, greek life, making friends and being a part of the black community. After the screening, audience members partook in a discussion about how to improve the Black Community's bond and their relationship with the campus.
"The Black Community helps black retention rate," senior Deja Armstrong, vice President of Zeta Phi Beta said. "I hope it can be in the exhibit space in Peeler, I think technology would make the documents stand out."
Although this event is the first of its kind, Williams and Armstrong hope the "More than Uncommon: an African American Experience" will become an annual event.