West Virginia Universitys Center for Black Culture and Research will host its 2004 Belmear New Student Open House Barbeque from noon-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at the Center on 590 Spruce St.

The Open House at the CBC &R is an annual barbeque to welcome new and returning WVU students,said Dr. Katherine Bankole, director.The event continues to grow each year and with every year the students are afforded another opportunity to meet with WVU faculty, staff and administrators. We welcome everyone to attend this free and fun event.

University faculty, staff, upper-class mentors in the Centers PASSkey (Personalized Academic Support Service) program and members of the community will be available to talk with freshmen and returning students throughout the day.

Horace and Geraldine Belmear, for whom the event is named, collectively spent a half-century working with Universitys African-American student population.

The Belmears have dedicated more than 50 years to ensuring the recruitment and success of African-American students at WVU ,Bankole said.

In 1971, Geraldine Belmear became an advisor for black students at WVU . She was named assistant dean of student life in 1981 and assistant coordinator for minority affairs in 1985. Although she retired from the University in 1987, she continues to encourage young African Americans to pursue a college education.

Horace Belmear is a West Virginia State College graduate who earned his masters degree from WVU . He was WVU assistant dean of Admissions and Records for many years and later served as WVU s undergraduate minority recruiter. He retired in 1993.

For more information, call the CBC &R at 304-293-7029.