|
History: The University of Arkansas Black Experience Celebration: The Silas Hunt Legacy Award Event Snapshot: University of Arkansas |
Home: Snapshot: Leading the Student Body Leading the Student Body: Associated Student Government Presidents
McKissic, who today is an attorney in Pine Bluff, has said that it was a time “when student activists were demanding more rights and inclusion in all aspects of campus life.” When McKissic ran for the ASG student body presidency, he sought to prove that “anybody could be elected if he learns the game and works to achieve his goal.” And that’s just what Gene McKissic did. After spending the summer of 1971 preparing for the election, he was elected in the spring of 1972. President McKissic worked to bring improvements to campus lighting and handicapped parking at all campus buildings. He brought a student radio station to campus, important because it brought a taste of jazz and R&B music to an area limited to mostly country and rock music. Fast forward more than 30 years to 2000. Eddie Armstrong becomes the second black man in the University of Arkansas’ history to be elected to the top student government post. The political science major made it his goal to serve all students in their best possible interests. Today Armstrong is the president of his own nonprofit organization, the Eddie Armstrong Scholarship Foundation, whose purpose is to provide monetary assistance for minority students from single-parent households interested in attending the UA. It wouldn’t be another 30 years for a black student to become student body president: Randy Brown served as ASG president during the 2004 academic year. Brown’s goal for ASG was to promote a more inclusive campus through student programs, cooperation, and celebrating diversity. Excerpted from the winter 2000 issue of Arkansas magazine. |
When
Gene McKissic was elected the first African American University
of Arkansas Associated Student Government president in 1972, his
victory came amidst great social changes occurring on campus and
around the country. His election was groundbreaking and made national
news.