Shorter University hosting Tuskegee Airmen exhibit; original airman to visit campus

March 29, 2012 - Shorter University will host the exhibit “Tuskegee Airmen: Segregated Skies of World War II” April 2-12 in the Arnold Art Gallery.

The exhibit will open on April 2 at 5:30 p.m. with a special lecture by Dr. Jennifer Dickey of Kennesaw State University. A reception and live music featuring the local group, The Notables, will take place after the lecture. In addition, documented original Tuskegee Airman Raymond Williams, who served as a pilot, will visit the Shorter University campus on April 11 as part of the exhibit. Williams, now 90 years old, will speak to faculty, staff and students inside Brookes Chapel at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend both events.

The exhibit will continue until April 12 and will be open each Monday through Friday from 9 until 5 p.m.

This exhibit explores the history and heroism of the first African American pilots to fly in combat during World War II. Although required to train and fight in segregated units, the Tuskegee Airmen proved to be some of the most skilled aviators during the war. Between 1941 and 1946, what become known as the "Tuskegee Experiment" trained more than 1,000 pilots. The undeniable courage and skill of these brave men and women contributed to the desegregation of the United States Armed Forces in 1948. This exhibit offers a look into the historical challenges and triumphs of these unsung American heroes.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian university committed to excellence in education. The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Leadership. General education and calculus courses are offered in an online format, and Shorter recently launched online programs that lead toward the Associate of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Master of Accountancy degrees. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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