Friday, March 20, 1998

United goals

African Students' Association has history of fighting for causes

By KHYBER OSER
Collegian Staff Writer

The 1960s and '70s were turbulent times in Africa. Many countries strove to shed the stronghold of colonialism and win their independence.

Meanwhile, in State College, an organization was forming to see what it could do to aid the independence fighters more than 5,000 miles away.

"The African Students' Association was established in the early '70s," said Jimmy Adegoke, president of the ASA and a student from Nigeria. "The reason for that was to provide a rallying point for African students here to contribute to the process of decolonization in Africa."

All countries in Africa are currently recognized as independent, said Adegoke (graduate-satellite climatology), in part because associations across the United States, such as the ASA, played an active role in raising global awareness of the situation in Africa.

Collegian Graphic on the history of the African Students' Association

As independence was gradually secured in the nations of Africa, ASA has shifted its focus to the local community. Made up of about 100 members, the association celebrates African culture and tradition with intellectual events such as movies, discussion and lectures, as well as other events such as dances, picnics and sports contests, Adegoke said.

Joe Molete, secretary of ASA and a student from South Africa, said he appreciates the association's unity and enjoys spending time with other African students on campus.

"There are few of us here and we get comfort in each other's company," said Molete (graduate-biochemistry and molecular biology). "Meetings and parties are the best times."

The organization's largest event is the annual "Touch of Africa" celebration, which took place in February at The Bryce Jordan Center. The event offered authentic African food, music and dancing and drew a crowd of more than 700 people, Adegoke said.

In addition to campus events, ASA seeks to make African students feel more welcome at the University by helping them find housing, enroll their children in schools and forge friendships within the organization, Adegoke said.

"A lot of people that come here from other countries feel a little lost," Adegoke said. "So what we try to do is make the first couple of weeks as welcoming and less stressful as possible."

Adeolu Adewumi (junior-actuarial science), an ASA member who was born in Nigeria but raised in State College, said she enjoys being around people her own age and of the same African background. However, she also said she enjoys ASA because of its open and friendly atmosphere, which welcomes everyone.

"The only condition that we emphasize is that members be interested in fostering the progress of Africa and learning more about its culture and tradition," Adegoke said.