Earlier this month, the University of Montana graduated its first students who majored in African American studies. The African-American studies program at the University of Montana is the third oldest in the nation and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018. But until now, students could not major in the subject. A minor has been available since 2003.
La’Ashia Evans, one of the first graduates with a degree in African American studies said: “I’m African-American, but I didn’t know my own history. The new major made it possible for me to learn about the accomplishments of my community.”
Tobin Miller Shearer, director of the African American studies program at the university, stated that “our students are bright, committed, intelligent and able to talk with grace, sophistication and insight about one of this country’s most consistent fault lines – the fault line of race.”
