The class of 1990; Central State grads say knowing where they came from has made them confident about their futures - Central State University - Special Issue - The New Generation of the '90s

Ebony, August, 1990

As for their own values, CSU students list other people, self respect, Black women and the family as high priorities. They also indicate a willingness to work to change a political and social structure that does not seem in sync with their own value system.

"We, the Class of '90, have to realize that the future will begin with us," says Turpin. "How will we initiate a change? How will we spur a movement? I don't know. But I do know that what role we play will greatly enhance what our children talk about when they graduate from college."

PHOTO : The graduating class of Central State University near Xenia, Ohio, is a diverse group of

PHOTO : students with similar values. Reflecting a ratio close to that of the entire student body,

PHOTO : the class has almost one male to every female. Though some students have landed jobs with

PHOTO : major corporations, many are going on to graduate school where they will earn degrees in

PHOTO : medicine, business and engineering. What's important to them? The students place family, a

PHOTO : commitment to helping others, self-respect and cultural awareness at the top of their

PHOTO : lists.

PHOTO : Toby Miller, 22, from Brookline, Mass., is a political science major and president of the

PHOTO : Central State Student Government Association. He has accepted an administrative position

PHOTO : with the Indianapolis, Ind., Department of Mental Health. Miller, an African-American

PHOTO : history minor and activist says, "African-American students are heating up."

PHOTO : Melissa N. Harris (l.), 22, from Cincinnati, Ohio majored in biology and chemistry. The

PHOTO : Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society member will pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine and a

PHOTO : Ph.D. in clinical neurology at one of several universities where she was been accepted.

PHOTO : Ian. Bullock (below), 23, from Gary, Ind., majored in manufacturing engineering and has

PHOTO : accepted a job with General Motors in Flint, Mich. He was a resident assistant in the

PHOTO : honors students' hall.

PHOTO : Catherine O. Allen, 23, from Dayton, Ohio, majored in industrial technology. She will

PHOTO : attend the University of Wisconsin to obtain a master's degree in civil engineering. She

PHOTO : was one of the first students to serve on the Central State Board of Trustees.

PHOTO : Ndeye Fatou Ndiaye, 29, is from Senegal, West Africa, and is a business major. She founded

PHOTO : the International Students Association and will earn an MBA from Wright State University.

PHOTO : Yvonne K. Turpin (l.), 24, from Cleveland, Ohio, is a psychology major who will begin a

PHOTO : management training program with Ohio Bell Telephone Co. after graduation.

PHOTO : David M. Johns (below), 22, from Xenia, Ohio, majored in manufacturing engineering. He

PHOTO : attend the University of Wisconsin to pursue a master's degree in systems engineering. He

PHOTO : is president of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society.

PHOTO : Jaime L. Adoff (below), 23, from Yellow Springs, Ohio, is a jazz studies major and an