Commencement Weekend, 1977 May

This small photographic collection comprises two series: Series 1 holds two developed rolls of 35mm black and white negatives and contact sheets from them. Series 2 consists of 35mm color slides. They date from 1975-1977, taken by Wilson during his first through third years at Oberlin. The negatives and contact sheets cover two events: a geology field trip to a road cut in October 1976 and the Commencement of 1977, also covered in the color slides.

The color slides (Kodachrome and Ektachrome) cover Wilson’s girlfriend and family seeing him off to the airport for his first year at Oberlin in 1975; a geology field trip in October 1976; the Sam Green Quartet performing; the 1977 Commencement; and a number of pictures of his friends at Oberlin. These include James McBride (writer and musician), his roommate; Linda Vitale, Ray Ramirez (musician), Moses Hogan (the late composer), Jocelyn Hines, John Jang (composer, pianist and educator), and Peter Hyman. Also included is the late Dr. Yakuba Saaka (1945-2008), former Professor of African American Studies at Oberlin.