New building salutes culture

After decades of fund-raising, planning, anticipation and expectation, the new Neal-Marshall Education Center at IU is in its final stages of construction. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2001, the 18,000 square foot cultural center stands as a symbol of racial and ethnic pride, and as a permanent reminder of the contributions of African-American people on the Bloomington campus. \nThe University honors the first African-American degree recipients at IU by electing to rename the African-American Cultural Center after Marcellus Neal, who received a degree in mathematics in 1895, and Frances Marshall Eagleson, who received an English degree in 1919. MGA Partners of Philadelphia worked with the University Architect's Office and members of the African-American community to design the structure. \nThe new Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center's "cultural" foundation is in the 1960s. Like many universities, IU experienced unrest. Academic and cultural programming and services developed. The "Black House" was formed circa 1968 to support the teaching, research and service missions of the University and its African-American faculty. In the early 1970s, the Black Culture Center was established on Jordan Avenue. Over the decades, thousands of African-American students, as well as other students, have benefitted from the resources of the Center.\nThe Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center, constructed of limestone, hardwood, slate and glass, provides space for comprehensive academic, cultural and social programming to include a branch library, formal lounge, multipurpose and conference room areas, small classrooms, meeting rooms and study space. The furnishings, floor and wall treatments carry subtle yet significant symbols of African-American culture in their colors. The artifacts, sculptures and artwork donated to the center by alumni will continue to adorn the space of the new state-of-the-art center. \nThe artwork serves as an important historical link to our past and is a daily reminder of those who fought for the creation a "black culture center" to serve the needs of African-American students.\nThe offices of the African-American Arts Institute and the African-American Cultural Center library occupy the center. The African-American Dance Company will have a studio, and there is also practice room for the IU Soul Revue and the African-American Choral Ensemble. The center shares some common space with the theater and drama department. The library will contain a digitized multimedia center with access to music and videos. And the library will provide increased computer workstations and study space, improved access to the databases and collections owned by the IU Libraries System and the World Wide Web.\nThe Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center will support the educational needs of all students, but principally continues to be a focal point for African-American students. The center contains more space to conduct lectures, demonstrations, dance and music recitals and social events. It will be a place where learning will take place about the history and culture of African Americans. Discussions and activities central to the world-wide contributions of African Americans and their ancestry will also be key in shaping the mission and goals of the center. \nTreasured activities will continue to be an important part of our cultural festivities and celebrations. Plans are under way to expand services such as tutoring, mediation and serving as a resource and liaison for the IU community. And the center will continue to play an important role in attracting and retaining minority students as it works collaboratively with departments such as the Community and School Partnership Program, the IU Visitors Information Center, the Admissions Office, IU faculty and the alumni.\nThe Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center, a part of IU's Office of Multicultural Affairs, will work with La Casa, the Latino Cultural Center and the Asian Culture Center, to develop collaborative cultural, social and educational programs and services to help facilitate cultural understanding and racial tolerance among IU students. While the locations have changed and improved over the decades, the center remains committed to developing productive relationships with various University units so together we can have a positive influence on the lives of all IU students.