Cultural Organizations and Programs

2006-07 AASU Executive Board New freshmen at the New Student of Color Reception. AASU attends Alliance program at Denison

African American Student Union (AASU)
The African American Student Union (AASU) was established in 1987 to promote unity and cooperation among African American students, and all students with similar interests and or backgrounds. Membership is open to any student interested in supporting and being involved with the African American community and working with other diverse student populations and organizations. For more information about the African American Student Union contact the 2007-08 President, Alex Dear at alex.dear@otterbein.edu or Advisor, Angela Harris at aharris@otterbein.edu.

National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC)
NPHC organizations are nationally recognized African American Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. NPHC chapters at Otterbein College promote leadership, scholarship and service. NPHC also workswithin our campus Greek system. The following NPHC city-wide chapters on campus are: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information about NPHC organizations contact Greek Affairs Coordinator, Amy Rosen at arosen@otterbein.edu.

Sisters United (SU)
Sisters United was established in 2000 as organization dedicated to the political, cultural and social advancement of women of color at Otterbein College. Their programs, activities and workshops are designed to build awareness and friendships amongst all women from various backgrounds. For more information about Sisters United please contact The Office of Ethnic Diversity at aharris@otterbein.edu. You may also contact student chair of Sisters United, Maggie Livisay at maggie.livisay@otterbein.edu.

Men of Vision (MOV)
Men of Vision is an organization of Otterbein male student leaders. Men of Vision promotes male leadership within the Otterbein community; recognizing the importance of developing and exchanging views and ideas amongst college men on campus. The goals are to encourage Otterbein males to become active in leadership roles and service on and off campus, in addition to enhancing and further developing the skills and talents of male student leaders. Men of Vision works collaboratively with other student organizations, such as supporting and networking with Sisters United. For more information about MOV please contact President, Garey Berry at garey.berry@otterbein.edu or advisor, DeLane Crutcher at dcrutcher@otterbein.edu.

HOLA (Hertiage of Latino Americans)
HOLA exists to promote a sense of community and pride amongst Latino American students at Otterbein College.  The organization strives to promote friendship and cooperation amongs all students and place emphasis on positive encouragement, academic excellence and cultural appreciation of Latino American students.  For more information about HOLA please contact co-presidents Megan Murph and megan.murph@otterbein.edu or advisor, Merchel Menefield and mmenefield@otterbein.edu. 
 
Africana Club
The Africana Club is a student organization dedicated to sharing African culture and information about African issues and career opportunities invovlving African locations with the Otterbein community. Africana Club members have organized medical and school supply collection drives for orphans in Liberia, sponsored presentations by the Ohio Department of Development on Ohio's trade with Africa, and organized fun events like movie nights and African dance lessons. Membership is open to all Otterbein students. For more information on the Africana Club please contact advisor, Dr. Marsha Robinson at mrobinson@otterbein.edu.

The Alliance of Black Student Leadership (The Alliance)
The Alliance is body of Black Student Unions (BSU's) from Otterbein College, Capital University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Kenyon College and Denison University. This organization works together to develop, strengthen and foster student leadership amongst African American students. Students from the various campuses come together throughout the year for social events, educational programs and networking opportunities.The biggest event for The Alliance is the educational Spring Cultural Trip.For more information about The Alliance please contact The Office of Ethnic Diversity at aharris@otterbein.edu.

William Henry Fouse House of Black Culture (HBC)
The House of Black Culture was named after Otterbein's 1st African American graduate, William Henry Fouse. The HBC was established in 1994 serving as a meeting and social space for African American students. The house offers living space to five (5) same sex individuals who are involved in the African American Student Union and/or other diversity organizations on campus. The HBC promotes cultural exchange through programming and discussions for the Otterbein community. The HBC also assists the Office of Ethnic Diversity by hosting receptions for visiting guests. A quarterly signature program is the Late Night Breakfast which is a study break for students preparing for finals. For more information about the House of Black Culture, please contact the 2007-08 student liaison, Alex Dear at alex.dear@otterbein.edu or Advisor, Angela Harris at aharris@otterbein.edu.

Shades of Success (SOS)
Shades of Success is a transition program for incoming freshmen/transfer students of color. The goals of SOS are to 1) expose students to the resources neccessary to build a strong academic career by introducing faculty, administrators and students leaders, 2) expose students to social activities and student organizations as ways to get engaged and comfortable on campus, 3) welcome students of color and their families in a small intimate setting, allowing students to meet peers and upperclassmen and 4) allow students the opportunity to become familiar with their surroundings before New Student Weekend. If you are an incoming freshmen and would like more information about Shades of Success please contact aharris@otterbein.edu.

DESIRE (Diversity Education Scholars: Involved in Reaching and Educating)
DESIRE is a peer education program specifically designed for students to have open and candid discussions about diversity. Scholars are selected through an application process and are trained in a variety of diversity issues and subjects. The scholars work together and independently, in conjunction with the Office of Ethnic Diversity to promote diversity and plan the DESIRE Diversity Conference. Students participating and completing the DESIRE program receive a financialstipend for their service at the end of the year. For more information on how to become a DESIRE Scholar contact the Office of Ethnic Diversity at aharris@otterbein.edu. The following students completed the DESIRE program this year: Raven DeVoll, Grace Keplinger, Michelle Horn and Fahmiya Ismail.

Gospel Choir
The Otterbein Gospel Choir was organized in the fall of 1990 to give students of color a medium to express their culture through music. Standard, traditional and contemporary gospel music is sung.Today, the choir is more diverse then ever, and full of sudents who enjoy singing! The choir performs annually for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation, Gospel Festival and also accepts engagements for read churches, schools and other organizations. For more information about the Gospel Choir and choir rehearsals,please contact Choir Director, Mrs. LaJoyce Cain at LaJoyceDC@aol.com.