The 91探花 Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity鈥檚 (OMA&D) new Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) will be named in honor of the late Dr. Samuel E. Kelly, the founding vice president for the department and a pioneer for diversity on campus. The 91探花Board of Regents approved the naming of the center at its meeting on Jan. 12.
Currently undergoing an extensive renovation, the new 鈥淪amuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center鈥� is scheduled to open in late fall of 2012.
鈥淲e are excited about this opportunity to recognize Dr. Kelly and his contributions to both the 91探花 and the region,鈥� Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity Sheila Edwards Lange said. 鈥淗e opened the door for hundreds of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students here at UW. Dr. Kelly set the standard for, and established a commitment to diversity before it was popular among American colleges and universities.鈥�
Dr. Kelly came to the 91探花in 1970 and took on the role as the University鈥檚 first Vice President for Minority Affairs. By doing so, he became the first African-American senior administrator at UW. For six years, he led one of the strongest programs in the nation dedicated to integrating students of color at a major university. The innovative programs he developed over 40 years ago to recruit and retain underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students continue to this day. Dr. Kelly was also a special assistant to the president at 91探花from 1976-1982.
Prior to his tenure at UW, Dr. Kelly served in the U.S. Army for 22 years (1944-1966), rising from the rank of private to colonel. He was the first African-American hired in the Washington State Community College System when he began teaching at Everett Community College in 1964. Dr. Kelly also taught and held administrative positions at Shoreline Community College (1967-1970).
After retiring from the UW, Dr. Kelly played a large role in revitalizing the Rosemary Anderson Middle and High School, an alternative school in Portland, Ore., that served inner-city students who were unsuccessful in traditional public schools. He helped with the school鈥檚 organization and administration, in addition to teaching classes, for 13 years.
Since 2005, OMA&D has hosted a faculty lecture series to honor Dr. Kelly that showcases nationally recognized research focusing on diversity and social justice. He attended every lecture until his death in 2009. Dr. Kelly penned an assisted autobiography with 91探花history professor Quintard Taylor that was published by the 91探花Press in 2010, titled .
provides a learning environment where students and student organizations collaborate, develop, and implement programs while building leadership and organizational skills. It currently serves approximately 70 student groups and has been a 鈥渉ome away from home鈥� for students of color since its inception in 1971. The original building was demolished last fall and a groundbreaking for the new facility took place on Oct. 12, 2011.聽 A public reception and facility tour are being planned for the grand re-opening.
An online photo gallery of the event is available here.
Photos by Emile Pitre