Adrianne Toles-Williams, Managing Editor
The history of Daytona State College is rich. Amidst a tumultuous socioeconomic climate, James Griffen Greene became the first president of what was then known as the Volusia County Community College (VCCC) in October 1957. A year later, on September 2nd, 1958, VCCC opened its doors for the first time geared towards improving the lives of disadvantaged black residents of Volusia County and educating a highly trained workforce integral to the community.
Greene served as the president of VCCC for the entirety of its existence, until it was integrated with the Daytona Beach Junior College, forming the institution we proudly represent today.
His vision for the college and the future of the black community in Volusia County is one of the many endeavors we aim to celebrate throughout Black History Month, and each and every day of the year that we walk the halls of a Daytona State Campus. To honor the rich cultural heritage of Volusia and Daytona State College, the Student Government Association (SGA) organized a week of intellectually stimulating virtual events for students to delve into the spirit of the month. These events took place from the 15th through the 19th of February.
The week included virtual tours of African American cultural museums nationwide and videos highlighting local historically significant venues like the Jackie Robinson Ballpark and the former home of Mary Mcleod Bethune.
SGA invited students to participate in a virtual Black History Month Jeopardy, quizzing them on categories like African-American art, entertainment, science and exploration, and history.
On February 18th, students, faculty, members of the DSC District Board of Trustees, and others gathered for the rededication of the J. Griffen Greene Center on the Daytona Beach campus. With presentations made by DSC president Dr. Thomas LoBasso, District Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Betty Holness, the Cultural Diversity Committee Chair Juleen Daley, and our own SGA President Hilton Smith, the ceremony was a testament to the proud legacy of Daytona State College. A video of all the speakers was streamed live and is available for viewing here at the DSC Student Life Center Facebook page.
A mural was also revealed in the first floor hallway for the Greene Center and “will offer everyone who walks these halls a rich tapestry of images that will remind us daily how the strength of those before us, in addition to education, propelled black people to break glass ceilings,” said Daley.
The Black History Week celebration concluded with a poetry slam via Microsoft Teams where students were encouraged to join and share works of literature. Student Government President Hilton Smith took part in this event to share an original work titled I Was Made Greene, which can be found on the Student Life D2L announcement page.
Though the celebration has ended and February has come and gone, the legacy of President Greene and Daytona State College continues with us as we continue to pursue greater success, inclusivity, and equity.