Mather Dinner Honors Retiring Afro Chairman

Ewart Guinier '33 symbolically handed over the chairmanship of the Afro-American Studies Department to his successor, Eileen Southern, in a farewell dinner at Mather House last night.

Southern, lecturer in Afro-American Studies, lauded Guinier at the dinner for his dedication in improving the conditions of black students at Harvard and said that as chairman she will press for graduate programs in Afro-American Studies.

Moving Mountains

Guinier, who will be retiring as chairman in January, said he is "proud" of Southern's plans and added that "mountains can be moved by careful study and a clear vision of what you wish."

He encouraged students to assist Southern in her plans because "what happens to blacks at Harvard affects blacks throughout the country."

He said his retirement plans are uncertain, but they may include writing a book on black life or upgrading his classes in the Afro-American Department.

Guinier called for a "big departure from what many of the people at Harvard consider adequate for blacks."

"Harvard has a responsibility to its black students and the University should come to appreciate the accomplishments of its black students," he said.

Dwight N. Hopkins '76 said at the dinner that Guinier "has been a figure that black students have looked up to and admired for many years."

Leslie F. Griffin Jr. '70, a graduate student in education, said that Guinier has been a strong leader in the black student's attempts to achieve dignity and equality.

The crowd greeted Guinier, the only chairman in the history of the six year-old department, with a standing ovation and presented him with a briefcase as a farewell gift.