The First Generation: Thirty Years of the Office of African-American Affairs

The First Generation chronicles the historical experience of African Americans at the University of Virginia and the establishment and growth of the Office of African-American Affairs (OAAA), situating the Office within the University’s broader struggle with segregation, access, and institutional accountability (Jordan, 2006).

The Birth of the Office of African-American Affairs

The OAAA was formally established in 1976 following years of sustained student activism, most notably by the Black Student Alliance, whose Proposal for the Establishment of an Office of Minority Affairs called for a centralized structure to address the academic, cultural, and social needs of Black students (Jordan, 2006). Frustration with the slow pace of institutional change culminated in protests that compelled University leadership to formally commit to addressing Black student concerns. The Office opened in 1977 at the Luther P. Jackson House, a historic space that became both a cultural center and a hub for academic support, advocacy, and community-building (Jordan, 2006).

From its inception, the OAAA was tasked not simply with student services, but with promoting purposeful social change, improving Black student recruitment and retention, and holding the University accountable to its stated commitments to equity and inclusion (Jordan, 2006).

Leadership and the Evolution of the OAAA

The history of the OAAA is closely tied to the leadership of its deans, whose tenures reflect shifting institutional climates and evolving approaches to diversity and student success.

• The Harris Era (1976–1981): The Office’s first dean emphasized academic achievement as the central priority, while navigating limited resources, racial hostility, and institutional resistance. During this period, the OAAA expanded enrollment support, established early academic services, and solidified the Luther P. Jackson House as a permanent home and symbol of Black presence at the University (Jordan, 2006).
• The Puryear Period (1981–1986): Under pragmatic leadership, the Office advanced professional standards for academic support programs, secured external funding, and embraced a broader framework of multiculturalism. Despite political challenges and skepticism, the OAAA strengthened tutoring, counseling, and preparatory initiatives aimed at improving student performance and persistence (Jordan, 2006).
• The Brown Years (1986–1988): This transitional period was marked by uncertainty over the Office’s future. Interim leadership stabilized the OAAA, expanded alumni engagement, launched signature recognition programs, and reinforced the Office’s visibility and advocacy during a time of institutional hesitation (Jordan, 2006).
• The Turner Age (1988–2006): The longest tenure in OAAA history brought expanded programming, national recognition, and measurable gains in Black student retention and graduation rates. This era emphasized recruitment, parental engagement, structured mentoring, and institutional accountability, while also confronting racial incidents that tested the University’s commitment to equity and free expression (Jordan, 2006).
• The Apprey Interregnum (2006): This brief transition period highlighted emerging demographic shifts and underscored the continuing relevance of the OAAA as the University faced new challenges related to diversity, representation, and inclusion (Jordan, 2006).

Enduring Impact

The First Generation ultimately affirms the Office of African-American Affairs as an indispensable cornerstone of the University of Virginia’s mission to support student success, foster belonging, and confront its historical legacies. The lecture argues that while progress has been achieved, the strength of the OAAA remains essential to ensuring the University’s future is shaped by equity, accountability, and shared responsibility (Jordan, 2006).

Jordan, E. L., Jr. (2006). The First Generation: Thirty Years of the Office of African-American Affairs at the University of Virginia. Abridgement of a lecture presented at the OAAA 30th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration, University of Virginia.