Your Connection to Culture

In This Edition: Black History Month & Chinese New Year

Pioneers from NAU's Past:

Dr. Wilson Riles

     Each of us has an opportunity to achieve what has never been done but, all of us must know the history of those who have achieved greatness before us. This means we need quality role models. Their has never been a better role model for multicultural education, social justice, and percerverence than Wilson Riles. Most students currently attending classes at NAU never had the fortunate opportunity to meet Wilson Riles before his passing in 1999. However, all of us around this country who attended elementary school have been affected by his life's contributions to education, especially those of minority and low income backgrounds, in one form or another. In fact, since 1986 countless individuals at this University have gone to classes in the building dedicated to his namesake. Unfortunately there are not nearly enough people from our NAU community, or around our country, who know about the life of this exemplary man who 70 years ago was a student just like us attending NAU. 

    Few can empathize with the struggles for most people living in America during the first several decades of the 20th century. If you were Black (or anything but privileged and White for that matter) it is close to unfathomable. After losing both of his parents by age 12 Wilson Riles worked hard and paid his own way through a Louisana High School  with the help of his church and foster parents. After working hard and completing his secondary schooling he followed his family out west to Flagstaff in 1936. While working in numerous jobs, including the sawmill, he earned enough money to pay his tuition to the Arizona State Teachers College (ASTC now known as NAU). While working he became secretary of the local Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union. As an active leader he helped negotiate a significant advancement in fair wages that increased pay for workers by 40%. He was also an active member of his campus as an athlete, scholar, actor, musician, and campus leader loved by many.

    In 1940 he completed his Bachelor's of Arts degree in education with a minor in history. After college Wilson pursued his teaching career and within a year was married to fellow ASTC graduate and teacher Louise Phillips. Both came back to Flagstaff and taught at the segregated Dunbar School while pursuing his Master's of School Administration at ASTC. During this time he also served his country for 3 years in the Air Force from 1944 through 1947. Upon his return he completed his degree and served as principal and teacher of the Dunbar School. He maintained his roles of community leadership. Notably, he successfully urged the City of Flagstaff to install a sewage system in the south side community. An example of his pursuit of strides toward dignity and equality.

    When integration occurred in 1954 Riles took an opportunity moving him to California to become the Executive Secretary of the Pacific Coast for the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a peaceful social justice organization. After joining the California Department of Education Wilson worked his way up the ranks by directing programs that would become models for the rest of the country, such as the Compensatory Education Program or his initiation of early childhood education and special education programs.

    His most notable success was a milestone for the state of California. In 1970 Wilson Riles became the first Black person in California state history to be elected by the public to a major political position. He would serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction for a total of twelve years. With two reelections to the office. While serving the department he was appointed by three different US Presidents to the United States Office of Education Task Force. He also accumulated numerous other accolades in his pursuits of integrated multicultural education including an honorary Doctoral Degree from NAU in 1976. This was one of eight total honorary degrees. Dr. Riles perseverance was stronger than his building's concrete and brick foundation. As more privileged students attending this University today we should look to this man for inspiration; not only because he achieved greatness in surpassing struggles due to the color of his skin but, instead because of the content of his exemplary character.     

All information was gathered from September 2008 conversations with Joseph Rolle and articles written for NAU Special Collections Archive at Cline Library http://www.nau.edu/library/speccoll/guide/r/riles.html

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What Is Chinese New Year?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOLIDAY VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES:

Chinese New Year Traditions

Chinese Calendar

Recipes

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Advice Corner

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FAFSA, Taxes, & Scholarships

FAFSA's priority deadline is coming up on the 14th and you need to be ready to file. That means taxes! For students whose household income was less than $42,000 filing your taxes is FREE! in English or in Spanish.

Saturdays until April 11th at Coconino High School from 9:00-4:00pm

Checklist

• Picture ID
• Social Security Card
• Last year's tax return
• Routing numbers for your checking or savings account
• Know your 2008 economic stimulus payment total
• W2's,1099's, and any other proof of income
• Child care provider information including tax ID number

COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY

This Saturday, February 7th from 2:00-4:00pm at CCC-Lonetree Campus volunteers from NAU and CCC will be helping students file their FAFSA. After you file your taxes head over to submit your Financial Aid Information. If you miss it you can always file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

SCHOLARSHIPS

Gates Millennium Scholars
The Gates Millenium Scholars program was founded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and is intended to increase the number of African-Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Americans and Hispanic Americans enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The program is open to high school seniors, college sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students in mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, education, or library science. Requirements include a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. 1,000 new students will be supported each year. For more information, call 1-877-690-4677 or visit the GMSP web site. Additional information is also available through the United Negro College Fund, the American Indian College Fund, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

For more opportunities like this one visit http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/minority.phtml

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STAR RA Positions Open!