The Yard
Kentucky State University
Renee Patrice Gilliam
Grace, Class, and Linkage to Our Past
Q: Tell us about yourself? What year did you graduate and what was your major?
A: I am Renee' Patrice Gilliam. known by classmates and friends as Patrice. I am known to family and extremely close friends as Tricie. I entered Kentucky State 1970, but associated closer with those who entered in 1971. I finished in 1975 with a BA in English and with a minor in vocal music. As a student, there were so many memories. I was nurtured as other students by both faculty and staff. They were like an extended family. While many of the ladies were members of my grandmother's bridge club, I was always treated as extended family. I had friends that were treated the same way. 
Q: Did you participate in any out classroom activities?
A: I was a voice minor so cheerleading was out of the question. I started studying voice at age 11 at Virginia State College. I was a member of the Thorobred Newspaper and Yearbook staffs. Was Miss Kentucky Thorobred Newspaper. Participated in the Opera Workshop production of Porgy and Bess and played the part of Clara. Worked with wardrobe with Kentucky Players Drama Guild and was understudy for role of Lutie Mae Jenkins in Pearlie Victorious. Sang with the University Choir and was a member of the University Concert Choir. I was not an elected SGA Officer, but was appointed Chief of Staff by Presidents Alphonso Sherrill, Gregory King, and Hubert Grimes. Watching our athletes compete and being drafted into the pros was exciting for me because often they were in general courses with me. I had bragging rights back home by saying I knew them from college! I also was a very good babysitter. I babysat the daughter of Bobbi and Raymnd Jordan, sons of Dr James Lyons, Dr. Carl Smith's children, and Dr. Swindell's daughters. |
Q: A few fond memories while at KSU and especially talk about any administrator or faculty that impacted you?
A: Fond memories began in the summer of 1960 when my family came to visit my Mom's parents Sam and Lullene Taylor who were employed as Head Football Coach and Dining Hall Hostess/Cashier. I celebrated my 8th Birthday on the campus of then Kentucky State College. We also had a family reunion with my grandmother's niece, two nephews and their families. One nephew worked for State Dept. Of Education and he and his family were leaving to go to Liberia for two years to establish schools. My grandparents lived in one of 2 apartments in Atwood Hall located behind Bell Gym. Two days of summer school were left when we arrived. By the weekend my cousins arrived and all men and boys slept in dorm room two doors down from the apartment and the women and girls slept in the apartment and the adjoining dorm room. Summer of '62 my Mom, brother and I took the train to Frankfort. Grandfather was sick in St. Joseph's Catholic Hospital. Football Players and girlfriends would babysit us and take us to the grill in Underwood Cafeteria for ice cream. We would go to movies in the lecture hall in Carver Hall. Dr. Lloyd Alexander, Dept. Chair for Biology gave my brother and me a tour of Carver Hall. The thing that made the biggest impression on both of us was the Butterfly Collection that was a gift to the University from an African King. The colors of the butterflies were brilliant! The Foundation on Which We Stand!
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Q: What made KSU so special?
A. KSU is so special! In February I went to mini homecoming. I walked outside of Bell Gym. I stood quietly and could hear the roar of the students as Elmore Smith would block a shot or when Travis Grant shot a basket from downtown (long before 3 pt. shots). I could also hear Pecola Locket and others lead us in Fight on Kentucky Fight On. With the Thorobred stomp or Deep Down in my Heart. I stood quietly outside the choir room closed my eyes and I could hear the Male Chorus sing the ole Negro Work songs. Deborah Channel singing the Laughing Song from Strauss' Die Fledermaus. Hathaway Hall was extremely quiet for a Friday. In my mind I could hear Dr. Chenney talk about the construction of the fences by slave labor.
I could also picture and hear the voices of Roger Uhl, Alvin Seals, Mary Weather, Arnold Wright, and Ethel McClendon of the Sociology Dept. as they taught their respective courses. They were revolutionary faculty ahead of their time. Uhl and Seals often invited the ladies of the evening, the transgender to speak to the students. Often you could not get down the hallway. Student not in the class would sit quietly in the hallway to look and listen. Being actively involved with SGA, through the tutledge of Bill Williamson, we learned to negotiate with promoters to bring groups on campus. Student Affairs only had to approve the group(s) and have campus legal counsel check the contract before signing.
I could also picture and hear the voices of Roger Uhl, Alvin Seals, Mary Weather, Arnold Wright, and Ethel McClendon of the Sociology Dept. as they taught their respective courses. They were revolutionary faculty ahead of their time. Uhl and Seals often invited the ladies of the evening, the transgender to speak to the students. Often you could not get down the hallway. Student not in the class would sit quietly in the hallway to look and listen. Being actively involved with SGA, through the tutledge of Bill Williamson, we learned to negotiate with promoters to bring groups on campus. Student Affairs only had to approve the group(s) and have campus legal counsel check the contract before signing.
