People: Maxie Gordon

MSU-STYLE LINKAGES TO AFRICA

By the time he was 12, he had visited 18 countries in three continents. But his most vivid memory was of riding a camel to see the Pyramids of Egypt. 'That trip got me interested in all of Africa,' says Maxie S. Gordon, Jr., '64, M.A. '66, Ph.D. '79, director of international programs at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, who this year 'made history twice.'

First, Gordon created Project Ghana, the first-ever Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) consortium (SCSU, Benedict, Claflin and Vorhees) taking students to West Africa. Second, he spearheaded the first HBCU study abroad program in nursing, sending a group from SCSU to the Dominican Republic. 'I got my inspiration from MSU,' says Maxie, who participated in MSU's Nigeria Exchange Program in 1964. 'We went to Nsukka, Nigeria, in John Hannah's first international program. The following year, students from Nigeria came to MSU. That's the model I am using in Ghana.'

Maxie, who lives in Columbia, also touts President McPherson's vision. 'From what I read in the alumni magazine, President McPherson wants 40 percent of MSU students to have a study abroad experience by the year 2000,' he says. 'Well, we're trying to sell the same vision to our administrators. My goals for this program is to give all students, faculty and staff an opportunity to study on one of six continents by the year 2000.'

His first exchange program with Ghana proved an emotional experience for Maxie, who toured the dungeons of the Elmina Castle where slaves were held before they were shipped to America and Europe. 'I want our students to take the tour,' he says of his walk through the infamous 'Gate of No Return,' where shackles still adorn the walls. 'It is awesome to think of the effect that will have on a 19-year-old college student.'