Division of Academic and Student Affairs Celebrates Juneteenth with Calls to Action

Today, NC State University and the nation are celebrating Juneteenth—the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Specifically, June 19, 1865 was the day when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were notified that slavery had been abolished.

In celebration of Juneteenth, the Division of Academic and Student Affairs is highlighting the accomplishments of some of our Black students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Below you will also find helpful links with more information about Juneteenth, how you can support Black students at NC State, and how you can be an advocate in the ongoing efforts to achieve racial equality in the United States.

Celebrating Juneteenth

• Read Chancellor Woodson’s statement about Juneteenth
• What is Juneteenth?
• How to celebrate Juneteenth (from NC State’s African American Cultural Center)
• Support the Tracy Hanner Endowed Scholarship at the College of Veterinary Medicine
• Juneteenth events in the Triangle area (from the News & Observer)
• The History and Meaning of Juneteenth (from NY Times‘ The Daily Podcast)

Changes and Helpful Resources at NC State

• DASA and OIED joint statement: responding to concerns and moving forward
• Addressing diversity and representation in STEM faculty (Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost)
• Resources to improve our racial climate (from the NC State Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity)

Black Alumni, Students, Faculty, and Staff Who Make NC State Extraordinary

• Irwin Holmes, one of the first African American undergraduates at NC State and the namesake of Holmes Hall
• Thomas E.H. Conway, Jr., a brilliant mentor, educator, advocate, and leader in North Carolina higher education who worked in numerous influential positions and inspired Black students during his 32 years at NC State
• Angela C. Caraway, an alumna who recently established a scholarship for first-generation college students from rural areas in North Carolina. Her company, the Caraway Management Group, Inc., is the event planner—since its inception—for NC State’s Packapalooza™
• Melanie Flowers, president of NC State Student Government, was elected president of the Council of Student Body Presidents for the UNC System earlier this year
• Wesley Wade, a career counselor in the Career Development Center and 2020 recipient of the Chancellor’s Creating Community Award for Outstanding Staff
• Black Birders Week and its Lasting Impact—two master’s students in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in NC State’s College of Natural Resources break down stereotypes about Black people in nature and STEM fields.