Media Advisory: From the Underground Railroad to African-American Music: Past and Future Highlight Educational Opportunity Center’s Open House

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo’s Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) celebrates 40 years of service to the community with a week-long open house program at its new home, that includes presentations on the Underground Railroad, African-American popular culture and a meet-and-greet information session on resources for international students.

The weeklong celebration also allows past and present students, faculty and staff the chance to network and share their experiences of the center’s history of serving students. The EOC has spent decades helping adult students return to the pathway that leads to secondary and post-secondary education and training. These opportunities have given EOC students the chance to provide a better way of life for themselves and their families.

"As we moved into our new facility in the downtown campus, we could not help but be in awe of the opportunity that this would provide both our students and the community,” says Julius Gregg Adams, EOC executive director.

“The University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center has a 40-year history of providing workforce development and post-secondary support to those who are underserved. This state-of-the-art building, committed faculty and staff, and new leadership will be able to reintroduce the community to the University at Buffalo EOC as an important asset for adult and community education, job and career training and college readiness."

What: The EOC’s 40^th Anniversary Week celebration. A series of events to recognize EOC partners, emphasize its commitment to diversity, honor its past and connect to its future. The EOC will also conduct tours of its new home, which opened in June.

When: Monday to Friday, Sept. 23 to 27.

Where: All activities will be in the EOC’s new 68,000-square-foot, $26 million facility at 555 Ellicott St., adjacent to the expanding downtown medical campus.

Schedule of Activities: Events begin 8 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, with a continental breakfast reception to recognize those from the community who have supported EOC over the years. Tours of the new building will be available until 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 24: Opening Doors through Cultural Diversity

The EOC will hold two events to highlight the Center’s diverse population. There is an International Student Information Fair with community agencies that provide services for international students from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and a Hispanic Heritage Celebration from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Honoring Our Past, Envisioning Our Future

Stephen Marc, professor of art at Arizona State University, will talk about the Underground Railroad from its inception through America’s Civil Rights Movement. Marc is a digital artist and photographer who traveled to 20 states and Canada documenting places and people involved with the Underground Railroad. His presentation is 3 to 4:30 p.m., is free and open to the public, and is free and open to the public.

The EOC will hold a reception for retirees, alumni, faculty and staff at 4:30 p.m. RSVP to Sandra Bunkley, 716-645-1914.

Thursday, Sept. 26: Opening the Doors to the Future of Economic Development

Mark Anthony Neal, a professor of black popular culture at Duke University, will speak on black urban and popular culture in the 21^st Century economy. Neal has written and lectured extensively on black masculinity, sexism and homophobia in the African-American community and the history of popular music. His presentation is from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free and open to the public.

Friday, Sept. 27:  40th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner

This special event will highlight the conclusion of the week-long celebration. Partners, community supporters, EOC staff, students and alumni will come together to dine and generously support EOC students at this dinner. Proceeds will be directed to the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center Student Incentive Awards Fund, which supports students looking to continue their education or training after completing an EOC program. The Fundraiser will be held 6 p.m. at Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace. For more information, contact Sandra Bunkley at (716) 645-1914.

For a full schedule of activities and more information, call the EOC at 716-645-9555, or visit the website at eoc.buffalo.edu.