LOCAL/S TATE

The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 26, 1998 - 5A

Mlack Celebratory to honor
tchievements through ceremony
Accomplishments of University," said LSA junior Ju Juan nificant.
Buford, co-chair of the Black "This is an opportunity to say that we
ack students also will Celebratory's Public Relations deserve to be here," said Buford. "This
a noted in yearbook Committee. is our opportunity to shine."
The Black Celebratory was first Every student is personally acknowl-
Rachel Edelman established by University students in edged in the graduation ceremony,
ly Staff Reporter 1994 as an organization dedicated to which coordinators described as per-
The accomplishments of graduating recognizing black students' achieve- sonal and intimate.
ek seniors at the University will be ments and focus on the continuation of U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-
ebrated and acknowledged in a spe- their success. Kilpatrick (D-Detroit), a University
I graduation ceremony and yearbook So far, about 100 students have regis- alumnus, will be the keynote speaker
er this semester. tered for the ceremony, and another 50- at the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony, which 100 students are expected to register. In addition, two deceased black stu-
11 take place May 2 at Hill "What I personally hope to accom- dents who would have been graduated
iditorium, is the culmination of plish is to gain a stronger bond with the class of 1998 will be recog-
ents planned by the Black between the black graduates on cam- nized.
lebratory, an organization pus," said LSA senior Crystal Smith, In addition to the graduation cer-
igned to honor black students' co-chair of the event's Public emony, the group will publish a
hievements. Relations Committee. yearbook. The organization has also
Registration for the ceremony began Buford said that because many black held social and fundraising activi-
February and is scheduled to end students are first-generation college ties.
norrow. students, the experience is particularly Past events have included a soul food
'It's more of a unifying experi- important. dinner and spades tournament in
:e," said LSA senior Leslie Hill, "If you're a first-generation stu- October, as well as a skating party and
>rdinator of the Black Celebratory. dent, you realize there are a lot of several bucket drives. A bowling party
ou can gather with students of your obstacles, whether it be the pressure, is scheduled for April 8.

Senate
passes
welfoaebl
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Rallying
from a defeat last week, Senate
Republicans on Tuesday pushed through
a bill permitting fingerprinting of wel-
fare applicants, arguing the measure
would cut down on fraud and give bene-
fits only to the truly needy.
Democrats complained the measure
would invade applicants' privacy and do
little to save money. Some contended it
was an election-year move that has little
chance in the Democrat-run House.
The bill passed, 20-17, after failing
last week by one vote. A related measure
to permit drug testing of welfare recipi-
ents was again delayed to drum up more
support for the bill.
Republicans argued the first bill -
which calls for computerized finger
imaging rather than traditional ink-and-
pad fingerprinting - is intended to dis-
courage fraud by detecting those who
seek benefits they aren't entitled to.

DANA INNANE/Daily
Crystal Smith and Olisaeiika Dallah, senior executives on the Black Celebratory
board, register a student yesterday at the Michigan Union for the graduation event.


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