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Sorority honors Carrie Halsell, first African-American graduate of Oregon State University
By Ashley Blake
The Daily Barometer
Addie Jean Hayes, keynote speaker and special recognition award winner, speaks at the first Carrie Halsell Celebration on Monday night in the MU Ballroom. Jacob Gregory
The Daily Barometer
Graduating from college is generally considered an accomplishment in itself.
And graduating nearly 80 years ago as an African-American woman is certainly an achievement worthy of celebration.
The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., held the first Carrie Halsell Celebration in the MU Ballroom on Monday night in honor of the first African-American to graduate from what was then as Oregon Agricultural College.
Halsell graduated in 1926 with a Bachelor of Science in commerce and went on to work as an educator on the East Coast. OSU's Halsell Hall on the south side of campus was named in her honor.
"We want people to really know who she is and what she accomplished, not only for the blacks here but for everyone else," said Mary Dyton, a junior in human services.
"It's heritage and it's history," said Keyoshia Vaughan, a senior in marketing. "It gives us the drive to want to do more -- not just resting in our ancestors' past but to do something to continue the legacy."
The majority of the audience members are part of Delta Sigma Theta, a historically black Greek letter organization founded in 1913 at Howard University.
Halsell was a member of the sisterhood and helped found the chapter at Virginia State University. Halsell was known for her dedication to education and community service, as well as her perseverance in an age of discrimination.
"This is someone who is notable, especially in regard to Oregon," Vaughan said.
Michelle Young opened the night with the Black National Anthem. A brief documentary of Halsell's life and accomplishments was also shown.
Keynote speaker Addie Jean Hayes received an appreciation award for her involvement in Delta Sigma Theta.
Hayes was initiated into the sisterhood in 1944 as a sophomore at Wiley College in Texas. She served as the far west regional director for a number of years, and her son graduated from OSU.
Vice Provost of Student Affairs Dr. Larry Roper also received special recognition.
The high honor of the night, the Carrie Halsell Commitment to Education and Public Service Award, was presented to Earlean Wilson-Huey, who works in the minority education office and directs the Ujima education office.
"She's kind of a mom away from home to a lot of students," said Lauren Smith, a junior in general science, pre-nursing. "She constantly demonstrates a commitment to education."
Recent University of Portland graduate and Delta Sigma Theta president Karletia Lewis also came down for the celebration.
"I hope the award itself will be a way to acknowledge those that have contributed to continuing education, especially those of African-American decent," she said.
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