Jan. 15, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. -

A Brief History Of African-American Athletes at Adelphi

The Adelphi University Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Affairs, will host its Fifth Annual Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 24, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Ruth S. Harley University Center. Adelphi Board of Trustees Dr. N. Gerry House is the keynote speaker for the event which honors the accomplishments of African-American athletes at Adelphi.

"I am so pleased that what started as a way to honor African-American athletes has really become a way to honor all students and alumni of color," said Suzette McQueen, Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations & Media and coordinator of the event. "They have made great contributions to Adelphi, both on and off the field and it is important for the current student-athletes to interact and fellowship with alumni of color who helped pave the way for their success."

Dr. House is President and CEO of the Institute for Student Achievement, a not-for-profit organization that works as an intermediary with school districts to create small schools and/or to convert large high schools into small learning communities, enabling low-performing students to graduate prepared for college.

Before assuming leadership of the institute in 2000, Dr. House spent eight years as superintendent of the Memphis City Schools and prior to that, seven years as superintendent of the Chapel Hill, N.C. School System. She also has served as a teacher, junior and senior high guidance counselor, principal and assistant superintendent.

Dr. House was elected to the Adelphi University Board of Trustees in 2004. She graduated from North Carolina A. & T. State University in Greensboro with a degree in English Education, and she holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling from Southern Illinois University. She earned her doctorate in Education Administration at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is the recipient of Honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees from Rhodes College and Lemoyne Owen College, both in Memphis, Tennessee.

Adelphi has partnered with the Salvation Army of Hempstead, N.Y. for this event in order to help collect items for families in need. Please click here for more information on how you can suppport this initiative.

Approximately 150 alumni, current athletes and administrators are scheduled to attend the celebration. The event is open to the public but advanced notice is highly recommended. For more information or to RSVP please contact Suzette McQueen by Phone at (516) 877-4236 or by email at mcqueen@adelphi.edu.