January/February

Man of Integrity and Vision
LaTangia Olive


Dr. Robert L. Palmer, Vice President for Student Affairs, is a man who stands by his word and works hard for what he believes. The African American Resource Center is very grateful for Dr. Palmer. He has been one
of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Resource Center as a respected and highly visible space which all African American students at CSUF can enjoy.  Dr. Palmer expects the Resource Center to become one of the prominent resource centers on campus. “The (African American) Resource Center has
great potential.  It is a place where students can participate in special programs and activities, and engage issues that are relevant to them as African American students,” said Dr. Palmer. Dr. Palmer has always envisioned CSUF having an African American Resource Center. “There was never a doubt in my mind
that this center would be established.  President Gordon, Vice President Smith (Academic Affairs), and Dean Klammer (College of Humanities and Social Sciences) have all been very supportive in this,” said Dr. Palmer, “All of their support is more than the Resource Center could ask.”  Dr. Palmer complimented the Resource Center on its strong leadership, aand on the motivation and inspiration it provides to the African American students on campus.  Dr. Palmer sees the AARC as a unique and special place where students can gain a sense of connection to the university, to the faculty and staff, and to each
other. The AARC takes its hat off to Dr. Palmer.  He is an inspiration to us all and the AARC appreciates all of his contributions to this growing institution.  The African American Resource Center will continue to learn and grow with every passing day.  We are glad that we have a man like Dr. Palmer who supports our efforts and understands the goals we want to accomplish.



   On October 24, 2005, America celebrated the life of a phenomenal woman, Rosa Louise Parks. Born
February 4, 1913, to Leona and James McCauley, Rosa Parks passed away at the age of 92 in her
home town of Detroit. Although physically gone from our lives, the memory of Rosa Parks will live on
forever. In 1955, she captured history by  refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man during a time when segregation was legal. Her bold, powerful and striking movement sparked the start of the Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for succeeding civil rights activists to stand up for our people and other African American activists.
   Rosa Parks received numerous awards and recognition over her lifetime and is remembered most as
the “Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement”. Of her many accomplishments, Mrs. Parks
will be remembered as one of the first women to join the Montgomery National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), award winner of the NAACP Springarn Medal (1979),
President’s Medal of Freedom (1996), the Congressional Gold Medal (1999), and many more. Individuals from all colors can learn a lot from Rosa Parks. Refusing to give up her seat to a white man could have cost her life. In light of the punishment received for violating segregation laws as an “inferior being”, Rosa Parks risked it all to put an end to segregation and to force society to accept African Americans as human beings. Interestingly, in 1956, segregated bus services were ruled unconstitutional. Parks leaves behind 13 nieces and nephews.