BGSA History

The idea of an organization of African-American graduate students at Wake Forest University was conceived by Donyell Roseboro (Phiilips), a graduate student in the Department of History and Carnell J. Hampton, a graduate student in the Department of Medical Engineering during conversation in the spring semester of 1998.

The first organizational meeting of African-American graduate students was held in September of 1998. The meeting was also attended by members of the Black Law Students Association and Black Business Students Association of Wake Forest University.The first official meeting of a group of six interested graduate students was held on October 7, 1998. Those students were: Rhonda Bryant, Department of Education (Counseling); Carnell J. Hampton, Department of Medical Engineering; David Shabazz, Education; Carmen Johnson (Payne), Department of Education (Counseling); Donyell Roseboro, Department of History; and Tameki McDowell, Accounting. By the agreement of these members, the group became officially known as The Black Graduate Students Association of Wake Forest University (BGSA). Regular monthly meetings were held thereafter. Several other students attended subsequent meetings including Jeanette Sellers, Department of Chemistry and Melissa Hubbert, Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology.A constitution was written and adopted by the membership. Carnell J. Hampton and Donyell Roseboro served as the first co-chairpersons of the BGSA. The organization's first activity, the Graduate and Professional School Forum was held in January of 1999. Dr. Eric Watts, a member of the graduate faculty in the department of Communications, agreed to serve as the organization's advisor in April of 1999. Other social activities and outings were held throughout the academic year. Organizing members, Rhonda Bryant, Carmen Johnson, and Donyell Roseboro graduated in May of 1999. From the three active members returning for the 1999-2000 academic year, Carnell J. Hampton was selected to serve as President of the organization and Jeanette Sellers was selected as the Vice-President. During much of the organizational period of the BGSA, the Office of Multicultural Affairs provided moral and financial support.

Meetings for the 1999-2000 academic year began in September of 1999 with 10-12 members representing many different graduate departments. Officers elected at the first business meeting included: Mariska Adams (Biochemistry), Secretary; Willie Hargrove (Chemistry), Treasurer; and Kelli Palmer (Counseling), Historian. One standing committee, the Recruitment and Retention Committee, and two program committees concerned with the organization of the Graduate and Professional School Forum and a High School Mentoring Project were established. The second Graduate and Professional School Forum was held in November of 1999. One of our annual social activities, the Thanksgiving Pot-luck Dinner was also held in November. Meetings continued during the Spring 2000 semester. Carnell Hampton represented the BGSA at the 12th annual National Black Graduate Student Association Conference held from March 29 - April2, 2000 on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The BGSA was formally recognized by Dr. Gordon Melson, Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate Council in April of 2000. With formal recognition by the Graduate School, the BGSA also received financial support for its activities.