Presidents of Historically Black Colleges Study Exchange Programs

Black Issues in Higher Education, Feb 18, 1999

JERUSALEM -- Presidents of five historically Black American universities toured Israel last month to meet with Israeli educators and examine political and social issues in the country.

The president of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., Dr. Dorothy Yancy, says she was exploring the possibility of setting up an exchange program during the eight-day tour.

William Gray, president of the United Negro College Fund, a tour sponsor, said the organization backs exchange programs because students entering the next century "must be totally familiar with the world."

The presidents spent a day in Israel's southern desert city of Beersheba, visiting Ben Gurion University. And, they visited Tel Hai College, near the Lebanon border.

They also met with former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to achieve peace with the Palestinians.