To study history is to take a step into the past, and to truly seek to understand what people experienced and how it impacts us today.

Black history is not only Black history, but American history. As Langston Hughes poetically put it, “I, too, am America.” Unfortunately, the significant contributions of African Americans have not always been given their proper place in history.

This is why the celebration of Black History Month is so essential. Setting aside intentional time to learn and appreciate the diligent, and often sacrificial, work and progress brought about by Black people ensures that their efforts do not go unremembered. Rather, they can live on in the minds of all, and by being more educated, we can see the proliferate ways Black history has made our nation and world a better, more equitable place.

The same can be said for the smaller scale of Anderson University. Without the efforts of Black students and faculty at AU, the University would not be what it is today: a home to a diverse range of students who are valued equally.

With all this in mind, let’s meet a few standout students and faculty who have enriched the history and community of Anderson University.

Cora Johnson Williams

• In 1966, Williams was among the first group of six African American students to attend what later became Anderson University
• She became the first African American student to graduate from AU in the fall of 1966
• After Anderson, Williams graduated from Clemson University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology
• In 1990, Williams completed a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina
• Williams was very passionate about serving others, and it shows in her efforts as a social worker for over 20 years
  • She was known for going the extra mile for a client or family
• In 1998, she was awarded the prestigious Ruth G. McCall Award, which is the Public Health Social Worker of the Year Award for the state of South Carolina
• Williams was also an active member of her home church Mount Moriah Baptist Church

John W. Sullivan, Sr.

• Sullivan graduated from Anderson in 1967
• He was an active supporter of the University and other community organizations
  • He served as a director and president of the American Cancer Society, Chamber of Commerce, University of Georgia alumni society, Anderson Area Bulldog Club, Rotary Club, Elks Club, YMCA, Anderson Association of Realtors and the United Way
• Sullivan was presented the Anderson (University) Alumni Achievement Award in 1980
• He was a former member of the college’s Board of Visitors and was chairman in 1990.
• Also in 1990, he served as chairman of “A Day for Anderson (University)”
• Sullivan had a successful and flourishing career—he was the former owner of Sullivan Motor Company and Sir Pontiac and was a Realtor with the Baron Agency
• In 1970, he had been the youngest person to serve as a General Motors dealer

Mack Lester Nance

• Mack L. Nance, an Anderson native, graduated from Anderson (University) in 1968
• He was among the first two African American students to attend AU, the other student being his cousin Horace Clinkscales
• During his time at AU, he played for the basketball team, and in 1967, he was among the leaders on the team being the third high rebounder and a letterman
• He also was the vice president for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus
• In his sophomore year, Nance was nominated for the national award of “Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges”

Harry Johnson 

• Johnson enrolled at Anderson in 1973  
• He was active in the Baptist Student Union and the Pep Band during his time at Anderson 
• He was also involved in the first Black history observation 
• He was named Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges 
• At his graduation, he received the prestigious Annie Dove Denmark Award for his leadership, scholarship, and character 
• After graduating, Johnson served as an intern for Congressman Butler Derrick  
• He went on to complete a philosophy degree at Carson-Newman College  
• He worked as a retail store manager and also served 12 years in the US Air Force 
• “Anderson College was just what Harry Johnson needed at age 20, 21,” he said. “It was a second chance.” 

Wanda Staggers

• Staggers was the first African American faculty member at AU from 1984-1994
• She was an assistant professor of computer science who introduced many students to the then-novel realm of computer science
• Staggers was from Manhattan, NY and graduated from the University of Hartford in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics
• She also completed a master’s degree in industrial education from Clemson University and a Master of Science majoring in the field of computer science
• Additionally, Staggers completed a Doctor of Education degree from Clemson University, with her dissertation entitled A Survey of the Status of Computer Literacy Graduation Requirements in Selected Private Colleges and Universities

Tommy Harrell

• Harrell was the first Black student elected as president of the Student Government Association in 1988
• Harrell majored in hotel management, and had aims to make Anderson (University) the “best college in the world” as SGA president
• Harrell enjoyed playing tennis, fishing, listening to music by Anita Baker, and shopping for menswear
• Harrell played the role of Walter Lee Younger in the 1988 spring production of “A Raisin in the Sun” at AC
  • “A Raisin in the Sun” is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that is set in the southside of Chicago and tells the story of the Youngers, a struggling Black family coping with society’s limitations and dreaming of a better tomorrow
  • In addition to Tommy Harrell, Black students Betty Thompson, Keisha L. Johnson, and Thomas Willis played the roles of Lena Young (“Mama”), Ruth Younger, and Travis Younger respectively
  • Betty Thompson wrote an article in 1988 describing her experience playing Mama, a woman who is a strong believer in God and proud of her family history of five generations of slaves and sharecroppers. “By being involved in this play I have learned how hard it was for a black [sic] to live comfortably. I have also learned of what a remarkable writer Lorraine Hansberry was. It is truly amazing how she wrote this play way before the marches to Washington. It’s as if she knew of what was to come.”

Carlton Willis

• Willis graduated from Anderson in 1993 with a major in music business
• Since he was a talented musician and athlete, when Willis graduated from Dixie High School in Abbeville, SC, he was challenged with the choice between pursuing music or college football. Ultimately, he chose to enroll as a voice student and never second-guessed it.
• In his time at AU, Willis was a part of the choir, but also sang with the (AU) Ensemble, “Radiance” and the Chamber Singers
• Fun fact: (AU) Ensemble started as the Inspiration Choir in 1984
• Willis was also a featured soloist with a 200-voice choir at a Martin Luther King Day celebration
• He also directed the choir at his home church, Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal in Hodges, SC
• · Willis was also an active member of the Student Government Association, occasionally assisted the admissions office, and worked the summer orientations to help new students adjust

In an article published in the Anderson Echoes [newspaper or magazine] in 1983, a student writer poignantly said, “As we think about and recognize Black history, let’s not forget about our present talented people.” It is important to look back at the people and efforts that brought us to our present day, but we need not neglect the faculty and students who are continuing the legacy today.

Winfred Green  

• Green, a lifelong Anderson, South Carolina, resident, was the director of campus recreation and fitness at Anderson University 
• He developed the program from its very beginnings—when it was an intramural sports program of two sports: basketball and powder puff football 
• He began working for AU in 1991 because the institution needed someone to run the sports clock for athletic events, and he also joined the landscape team 
• He says it’s the family of about 40 student workers that power AU’s offering of intramural sports and fitness classes 
• Green also served as a housekeeping supervisor and as a Resident Director for three years 
• In 1998, he became the college’s intramural director 
• Green has been working at Anderson for 35 years 
• Green says his favorite part of his job is working with and training the student workers, and he loves the family he has cultivated with people on campus 

Malik Chevry 

• Chevry, from Powder Spring, GA, is the Defensive Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator of the AU Football team 
• He joined the Trojans staff in 2022 as the Defensive Assistant Coach before given the Defensive Backs coach position in 2023 
• Before AU, he served as a cornerbacks coach and video coordinator at Erskine College and coached at Blue Ridge High School and Victory Christian Academy 
• Chevry played collegiately at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management 
• He was also a member of the Dean’s List 
• During his time at Southeastern, he was named to the Sun Conference Football Academic All-Conference Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team 
• Chevry is married to Elizabeth and has a young daughter, Jordyn 
• Chevry says he is “Truly thankful for these young men and who they are on and off the field” and has worked to build and improve the AU Football program “from scratch” 

Cole Middleton is a senior political science major here at AU who is on the basketball team. Before playing at AU, Atlanta-native Cole was ranked as the ninth-best player in Georgia. During the 2024 season, Cole Had a career-high 31 points and 15 rebounds at Wingate. In addition to basketball, Cole leads two community groups for the Atlanta organization Be the Bridge, one in Atlanta and one on AU’s campus. Be the Bridge exists to “empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation.” Cole is also very involved in his church at Newspring, where he attends and leads bible studies.

When asked his thoughts on Black History Month, Cole articulated that “Black History Month is a great time to honor Black patriots that contributed to the history of our nation, acknowledge the truth in the history of our nation, and be curious enough to learn more about a culture that might not be yours.”

“It’s also a reminder that we should never diminish any cultures history to one month. Instead, in the spirit of unity, it should re-emphasize the necessity of being mindful, inclusive, kind, loving, respectful, gracious, and truthful toward one another everyday each year. Uniqueness and Diversity run parallel with Unity, reflected in Revelation 7:9.”

Samariyah Foust is a junior Human Resources major who is also a member of the Connect club and a mentor for Diversity, Community and Inclusion. When asked about the importance of celebrating Black history month, she said that it “provides an opportunity for people to think about a culture and history that might not be theirs. It is also to honor the people who walked so that we can run, and to recognize people who made an impact on our nation and world.”

Samariyah also commented on the importance of other heritage month celebrations, connecting the often-similar experiences of people of color. “It gives people a chance to reflect and learn something, and hopefully one day we can all come together and celebrate our cultures every day, all year long,” she says.

“My hope as a Black student is that every student, especially minority students, feel accepted and loved for who they are, without needing to change for anyone,” Samariyah reflects. And by being involved on campus for DCI and Connect Club, she is actively contributing to this vision of AU.

Simeon Respress is a senior Financial Economics major from Cornella, Georgia who is on the track and field team, performing in the long jump and high jump. He currently holds the Anderson University school record for high jump with his mark of 1.96 meters completed at the SAC Outdoor Championships. Simeon holds the school’s record for long jump as well, having broken it twice in one season his freshman year—6.87m at the Trojan Opener and then a week later he recorded a distance of 7.16m at the SWU GottaRun Invite. He also holds the position of treasurer for the Business Club and is the cofounder and treasurer of the Bowling Club. Additionally, he is a supervisor at the Chick-Fil-A on campus.

When Simeon was asked about his thoughts on the celebration of Black History month, he expressed that “it helps us remember the hard times that we went through in the past.”

“We need to be reminded why we are here today and what our ancestors did for us,” he continued. “Black History month is the time for our brothers and sisters to lift each other up in the classroom, community, and across the nation, instead of going against each other.”

“Learning Black history of AU would mean a lot to me,” Simeon reflected. “Being able to learn how individuals were able to change the values of a university and bring in diversity would be amazing. It would show me how bold and strong my brothers and sisters were to preserve through hate and discrimination.”

When it comes to being a Black student and athlete at AU, Simeon said it has been a great experience for him. “I’ve been treated equally as everyone else here at the university, and I’ve never felt a sense of racial discrimination. I pray that other fellow Black students have had the same experience that I’ve had and can continue to increase diversity at the school.”