House of Black Culture Receives Leadership Gift

Students in front of the House of Black Culture in the 1970s.

In recognition of the important role the House of Black Culture plays at Ohio Wesleyan and as part of its commitment to improving residential facilities, the University has recommitted to keeping the house in the same location where it has stood proudly for nearly 50 years.

Ed Haddock ’69, a member of the Board of Trustees, along with his wife, Edye, and son, Ted, through their Edward E. Haddock Jr. Family Foundation, have made a $300,000 leadership gift in support of the house. While details are being finalized, their gift will be used to challenge others as part of a greater fundraising initiative.

Co-chairs of the HBC fundraising committee include Morton “Pete” Smith ’71, one of the founders of the house and a former moderator, his wife Barbara Smith ’74, Aaron Granger ’93, and Khadija Adams ’04, a former moderator.

“Students of all colors need the things that 65 Oak Hill Ave. offers; space to learn, space to teach, space in which they can feel safe, space in which they can have fun. I am pleased to be partnering with the University to give alumni an opportunity to bless current and future students with a home and home base that will nurture them in the way that we were nurtured,” says Adams.

The committee will provide feedback as plans to rebuild the house develop. For the latest information on the house or to learn how to get involved, please visit owu.edu/HBCupdates.

Return to the Fall 2017 OWU Magazine