SU History Department: Conventions, Fundraising, and Scholarships

Atlanta, Georgia was host to the 2017 Southern Conference on African American Studies Incorporated (S.C.A.A.S.I) competition.
The conference was held on February 9 through the 11th at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Downtown Atlanta. Though the location changes each year, the annual S.C.A.A.S.I Conference is always held during the second week of February. Changes in location also depend on the hosting city. Southern University and A&M College hosted the S.C.A.A.S.I. Conference back in 2013.
According to Scaasi.org, this year’s event was designed to “explore the impact of the election of the first Black President Barack Obama on American society and the black community.” The website also entails that, “the goal of the conference is to explore the facts and fictions of his presidency as well as discussing the current state of the African American community.”
Amongst the contest’s normal participants include: Southern University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, and Rust College.
During this trip to the competition, Southern sent eight students, and five faculty members to represent the University. Jaguars immediately pinpointed their competition as Rust College of Mississippi. For the Quiz Bowl contest, “there is a moderator and along with a three judge panel. The two teams sit on each side of the moderator who issues the questions. If Southern is asked a question, and fails to give the correct answer within twenty seconds, the question is turned over to Rust College. If Rust then cannot answer the same question, there is a pass issued.” Explains Jessica Lawal, Administrative Coordinator.
Kourtney Danielle Dillon, a sophomore from Slidell, Louisiana served as a participant in the Black History Quiz Bowl contest. “Friday we went up against our rivals, Rust. Southern was on top. Then, Rust and after a while, I lost count. Overall, we lost by only four points [which] was quite amazing. It was a constant back and forth. At one moment, four points. We came so close to victory that we’re dying to go back. I am extremely proud of our team and next year we’ll be coming for a win!” Dillon stated.
Despite the shortcomings of the Quiz Bowl, Jamilah Stith, a sophomore Secondary English Education major from Washington, D.C. brought first prize for the Poetry contest. Stith ran unopposed in this year’s contest.
Aside of the History Department traveling to Atlanta, they are hosting a Mardi Gras Masquerade Gala featuring The Michael Foster Project. The scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 8-12 midnight at the University’s Activity Center.
The Black Tie event will have a large alumni presence and even the D.J. is an SU Graduate and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Tickets are sold at $50, and tables will be sold at $500. This is the first year where the History Department is hosting this particular event.
The Department of History and Political Science are looking forward to hosting a historical tour very soon. They’re also responsible for the Debate Club here on campus. Debate club is held once a month and all you have to do is attend their meetings to be included.