The Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University in Corvallis is getting a new home. The original building is being moved to a community garden in the city and a new structure will be built at the current site. The new building will have a unique circular lounge and exterior brick patterns based on Yoruba textiles from Nigeria.
During construction, which is expected to take a year, the Black Cultural Center will have a temporary home in Snell Hall on the Oregon State campus. The center was initially established on the Oregon State campus in 1975.
Ed Ray, president of Oregon State University, stated “This new building will help the university – and the wider community – to continue to build understanding and respect and knowledge.”
Lonnie Harris was THE reason I attended OSU from 1971
to 1975, at which time I received my bachelor’s degree.
He helped so many students, young and old, find a way
to attend college. The new center will be a tribute to
Lonnie.