The initial gathering of Northern Michigan University's Black Student Reunion attendees convened in Marquette, Michigan during the first week of October 2024. It was a wonderful festivity with hardy embraces, many heartfelt smiles, strong clutching hugs, new friendships and renewed acquaintances. Much excitement was realized during the entire weekend, and the activities were enjoyed by many NMU current and former students who attended.
My wife, Gayle, and i joined the participants at the nearby Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. From the time we met until the end of the night, the gathering was spirited with cheers, rambunctious conversations, lively introductions and much ado about reminiscing over fond experiences and memories while enrolled at the university. The night was so exciting that we did not want it to end. There had been between 30-40 revelers anxiously vying to get in a word about their recollections of days remembered. Many were awed or stunned by the earlier recounting of activities they had openly admitted to. Often it was heard, belted out among revelers, that their parents had no idea what kind of student they had raised.
The following day began with a well-attended tailgate gathering in the athletic parking lot. During the event we shared many photos of past student days and cherished significant family and occupational endeavors. The winds of Lake Superior made it challenging to keep track of the photos and other items of interest. Afterall, the football game was going to be an attraction that would soon draw throngs of spectators, and we were getting excited while waiting for kickoff time. To our dismay, it was not going to be a performance that we were poised to rally around.
While in the Dome, many of us became excited about the Wall of Fame which featured many plaques of familiar classmates, including one among our company, Gwendolyn Jackson, a basketball player who represented the only African American female featured on the wall. We all cheered for her and verbally expressed our admiration for her.
We wanted to keep the spirited mood flowing so we sauntered over to the university bookstore and milled around for about an hour while purchasing memory items. We then agreed to meet at a familiar area of student interest: Sugarloaf Mountain. We all had tales about our previous visits to the mountain. Everyone was pumped full of energy so we decided to climb the mountain.
"This was a grand vision, and it was a very successful endeavor." —Willie E. Wooten
Time has a way of blotting out some of the formidable challenges that we engaged in during years past. The climb was not the same as we remembered it. For a moment I was wondering whether I had picked up a pair of well-worn lungs along the way. It was a tough ascent, but we kept up a steady pace as we stumbled along jagged, rocky paths, climbing steep stairway ascents and stealing passing glances of several overlooks along the way. We finally made it to the summit.
The view at the top of the mountain was spectacular. Lake Superior stretched as far as the eye could see. Photo ops were explored with enthusiasm. At this point, a well-needed respite was a welcome point to regroup and observe God's display of natural beauty and share ideas on how to begin our descent.
It had been an exciting day of activities. We were a bit weary; however, it was not over. Next, we were going to attend a dinner gathering at Vango's restaurant. The gathering was planned to be the climax of our day. Cuisine choices included pizza and American and Greek foods. While dining, we continued discussing how we had spent the day, and we had a moment of silence to remember the names of our fellow schoolmates who had passed on.
The following day, beginning with breakfast, concluded our time spent. Afterward, we visited the Wildcat statue mounted in front of John X. Jamrich Hall. There, we took more photos, wished each other a safe trip home and offered many well wishes until we could further establish a meeting time.
Our gathering had been organized by Darryl Thompson and a committee he formed. Along with a few others, he envisioned combined years of Northern attendees gathering on the campus of our beloved school where we could share our experiences during time spent on campus. This was a grand vision, and it was a very successful endeavor. Future gatherings will be planned.
Gayle and I rode to the assemblage with Lisa Edwards, a much younger former student, whom we had met a couple weeks prior to the gathering. We shared many laughs and learned a great deal about each other during the ride. Also, we got along like we had been longtime friends. As a matter of fact, we got along so well that we promised to spread the word to other NMU students and to let them know that we have discovered that we share many things despite our vocations, special interests and other pursuits, but through it all, we have vowed to be lifelong friends despite our age differences and the miles that separate our communities.
—By Willie E. Wooten '70 BS, '71 MAE (Yearbook photo)
A return to campus is always special. For those who have not done so in many years, it’s quite an experience. For the second year, that fantastic experience is what many enjoyed during the second annual Black Alumni Student reunion weekend. Held September 12-14, the yearly event was a wonderful time for those who have not seen the growth of the University, or Marquette, over the years. With the gathering of older alumni, some who have not been on campus in over 30 years, to recently graduated and current BSU students, the opportunity to bond is
greatly valued.
During this spectacular weekend, new and older friendships are formed and strengthened. To see the accomplishments of so many black alumni is truly awesome. From doctors, to chemist, to lawyers and other professions in between, embarking back to the campus where it all began is special. As the weekend explores new ways to strengthen, bridging the gap and staying connected with the university is a top priority. The organizing board of the Black Alumni Student reunion sends a warm and special thank you to Northern Michigan University for its support. #GoCats!
“Alumni weekend was a blast! We had an amazing time with fellow alumni and being able to see all the people who paved the way for us. Can't wait to do it again next year.”
— By Darryl Thompson '84 BS (NMU ID card photo)
