Daphyne Saunders Thomas interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, 2024

Creator:

Thomas, Daphyne Saunders, Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-, and Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

Extent:

21.1 Gigabytes 1 digital file

Scope and content:

Records an interview with Daphyne Saunders Thomas, who describes her educational experiences in a segregated and desegregating public school system in southwest Virginia and her college experience at a predominantly white institution, including participation in Black student organizations and recruitment activities. The interview documents her role beginning in 1976 as a minority recruiter for Madison College, including travel to secondary schools, engagement with guidance counselors and prospective students, and efforts to promote the institution to Black students. Discusses institutional priorities to increase enrollment of minority and male students, as well as challenges related to financial aid, internal admissions decision-making processes, and allocation of resources. Addresses interactions with students, faculty, and administrators, including accounts of student concerns about campus climate and discrimination, and describes informal support networks among Black students and staff. Additional topics include housing barriers in the local community, early diversity initiatives, and the development of student organizations and administrative support structures. The interview was held in Wilson Hall at James Madison University.

Language:

English

Biographical / historical:

Daphyne Saunders Thomas, a native of southwest Virginia, graduated from Franklin County High School in 1972 during the period of public school desegregation in Virginia. She attended Virginia Tech, where she studied English and Sociology, served on the Human Relations Council, and worked in the admissions office recruiting Black students. After graduating in May 1976, she joined the admissions staff at Madison College (after 1977, JMU) as a minority recruiter where her work focused on increasing the enrollment of both male and minority students. In 1979, Thomas left JMU to attend the Washington and Lee University School of Law, receiving her Juris Doctor in 1981. She subsequently returned to JMU as an assistant professor of business law in the College of Business and completed a Master of Business Administration at JMU in 1985. She taught in the College of Business for several decades. Thomas co-founded and co-directed the CyberCity Summer Program, which served underrepresented middle and high school students from Virginia and the surrounding area, and received multiple awards for this work. In addition to her university service, she participated in local boards and community initiatives. She retired from JMU in 2020. The interview was held in Wilson Hall at James Madison University.

Physical facet:

(.mp4)

Dimensions:

1920 x 1080

Names:

Thomas, Daphyne Saunders
Mulrooney, Margaret M., 1966-

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