In the 1980s, Denison University hosted more than 1,000 black South Africans who were part of the Institute of International Education's effort to give black South Africans an opportunity to pursue bachelor's and master's degrees in the United States, removed from the racially discriminatory system of apartheid education in their homeland. The students came to Denison's campus for an orientation program on life in the United States before taking up studies in college and universities across the nation.

The 25th Anniversary of that orientation program is the subject for Professor Mzamo Mangaliso, who will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 9) in the Burton D. Morgan Lecture Hall. Mangaliso now serves as president and chief executive officer of South Africa's National Research Foundation. He will address the significance of the Denison-South African connection for those who came through the orientation program and for the transformation and continued development of South Africa. All persons in the central Ohio area with memories of this program are especially encouraged to attend the lecture, which is free and open to the public.

This program is part of Denison's extended commemoration of the life and work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme of the events this year is "The Words and the Music: South Africa," and a play and film festival, as well as special guests Dr. Tabatznik and Tsidii, have been part of the celebration.

Professor Don Schilling has organized this anniversary lecture and will speak. Schilling, who also is serving as associate provost at Denison, was director of the South African orientation program for six of its nine years.

Mangaliso came to the U.S. to study for his master's degree at Cornell University and was among the early students to participate in the program. He went on to serve on the orientation program staff and was co-director for three years. After completing his master of business administration degree, Mangaliso earned a doctorate in management at the University of Massachusetts and subsequently received an appointment to the faculty there. In 1999 he was given the University of Massachusett's Distinguished Teaching Award. He returned to South Africa in September of 2006 to take the position at the National Research Foundation.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Professor Mzamo Mangaliso, president and chief executive officer of South Africa's National Research Foundation, will speak on the significance of the 25th Anniversary of Denison's orientation program for black South African students; 3:30 p.m., Friday (Feb. 9), Burton D. Morgan Lecture Hall (150 W. Ridge Road). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6469 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

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