Black Villanova: An Oral History is a project focusing on the African American student experience at Villanova University throughout the period of roughly 1950-1985. The purpose of this project is to document the history of this period through the voices and perspectives of African American students who contributed significantly to the history of Villanova University.
The project seeks to document the significant contributions to campus life which African American students made during this time period. This oral history project will serve as a unique and valuable educational resource for future generations.
Visitors to the site are encouraged to view the pages of each of the individual participants. Here you can read a brief biography and click on excerpts of the videotaped interviews.
Black Villanova: An Oral History was launched October 2011 at a reception during Villanova's annual Homecoming festivities. Interviews with alumni have subsequently been conducted in Florida, New York City and on the campus of Villanova University. The project's website was unveiled at the "Back and Black: Celebration of the African American Experience at Villanova" event on October 27, 2012. This event brought back to Villanova's campus many participants of the project to re-unite and to re-connect with each other and with their alma mater.
Every attempt has been made to ensure the historical accuracy of the events described in the interviews and in the accompanying documents. The possibility exists that there may be errors and ommissions. Please feel free to contact the project's coordinator, Tom Mogan, at 610-519-4212 or by email at thomas.mogan@villanova.edu if you have questions or concerns.
This oral history project is an evolving historical record. Additional participants in this project are needed in order to contribute to the legacy of African American history at Villanova. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in being interviewed as part of this project, please contact Tom Mogan at 610-519-4212 or thomas.mogan@villanova.edu.
Materials, documents, and photographs are also needed for the website. If you have any materials to donate, please use the contact information above. Photographs and other materials can be scanned and returned to the original owner.
