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The Pendulum
Thursday, February 28,1985
Volume XI, Number 18
New ODK members
initiatedto circle
Bid day
Photo dy Steven Pearce
Friday afternoon each of the four sororities governed by Panhellenic welcomed their spring pledge
classes. Sigma Sigma Sigma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Mu and Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters were lucky
because of the beautiful springlike weather. Pictured above, Andrea Orr of Tri-Sig leads the sorori
ty’s new pledges to the bid circle where sisters wait with balloons and shirts.
By Jane Kidwell
Staff Writer
Twenty-two people were initiated into the Elon circle of Omicron
Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, on Feb. 17.
ODK, which began in 1914 at Washington and Lee University'
in Lexington, Va., recognizes leadership of exceptional quality and
versatility in college in the tradition of the idealism and leadership
of George Washington and Robert E. Lee. ODK members include
faculty members as well as students.
This year’s initiates are Melinda L. Brown, Patricia A. Costis,
Bobby Ray Dawson, Charles F. Diehl, Robert T. Drakeford, Sara
Marcella Furr, Maureen E. Gagnon, Lisa A. Huffman, Joel W.
Huffstetler, Ronald A. Klepcyk, Jamie E. McNeely, Matthew L.
Payne, Tammy A. Pugh, Paul C. Purdy, Louis Michael Riccio
Jr., WilliamG. Rich, Sherrie D. St. Clair. G. Keith Smith, Joyce
E. Speas, Linda T. Weavil, James K. Willis Jr. and Kimberly
Young.
The initiation service was conducted by Dr. John G. Sullivan
with Penny Thomas, ODK president, assisting. Nancy Cale, ODK
vice-president, and Ron Dalton, ODK member, also took part in
the ceremony.
Symbols important in African historical religion
By Vicky Jiggetts
Student Affairs Editor
"The heart, in African
historical religion, was the sym-
W that represented the heart of
one's mind.” said Dr. E. Curtis
Alexander. According to African
'Indies. a deceased person’s heart
"as weighed in a balance by the
Ns in order to determine their
wonh.
The concept of the heart was
one of many symbols which
Ale.xander discussed last Tues
day. His topic was “African
Historical Religions; A Concep-
lual and Ethnic Foundation for
Western Religion.” Alexander
specializes in the study of
pedagogical and human resource
concerns of Africans and African
Americans and is a diplomat of
the International Institute of Com
munity Service of Cambridge,
England.
”S,ymbols that we see in our
studies and throughout our travel
have a great impact on us,” said
Alexander. Such examples in
cluded the “swastika.” which is
the emblem of the Nazi Party.
Alexander said that although it is
a "synibol of horror” to the
Jewish people, in African
religion, "it symbolizes the four
corners of the universe.'' He add
ed, ”lt also depicts the divisions
of heaven.”
He referred to the Star of David
as another important symbol. In
Africa, it is called ”Tuat” and it
represents 12 hours of the night.
He also said that the “upside
down pyramid” represents the
uniting of universal men. The
synibol which represented life
was the “Ankh.” Alexander .said
that life was also represented by
the male-female unity and that
this unity was an example of
“love bringing about life.”
During a portion of Alex
ander’s lecture that revolved
around African historical ar
tifacts. he discussed how Africans
are not recognized for their con
tributions. Alexander said that
civilization began in Africa and
that “stone writings, picture
forms, and the development of
work instruments” can be traced
back to Africa. Although many of
the stone artifacts arc in museums
throughout the world, he said that
“the whole idea of African con
tribution to world history is a
mystery.” and that further study
can hopefully add a new dimen
sion and help evade the racism.”
Alexander said that African
contributions to civiliaztion are
frequently overlooked because
Americans are led to believe that
black history began with slavery.
”lf we arc going to legitimately
study African studies, we need to
start at the beginning instead of
the middle,” he said.
Dr. E. Curtis Alexander
The Breakfast Club
movie review
Carolinas Conference
Mens basketball
Tournament