The new Hamilton-Dodson African Diaspora Endowment reflects the lasting impact of Dr. Ruth Hamilton and the deep respect held between her and Dr. Jualynne Dodson.
In tribute to the pioneering work of the late sociologist Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, the College of Music at Michigan State University announces establishment of the Hamilton-Dodson African Diaspora Endowment.
Led by MSU Professor Emeritus of Sociology Dr. Jualynne Dodson, the new fund will support programs, faculty initiatives, knowledge production, teaching, research, and community outreach focused on enhancing and expanding understandings of the relationship between music as an ‘international language’ and the global phenomenon of the African Diaspora.
“The work of Drs. Hamilton and Dodson has and continues to transform our comprehension of the African Diaspora within academic studies at MSU. This new fund reflects the profound respect and admiration between the two scholars and aims to continue their legacy of groundbreaking research and education,” said James Forger, dean of the College of Music, who praised Hamilton’s influence throughout the campus.
MSU Professor Emeritus of Sociology Dr. Jualynne Dodson has led a group effort to honor the late Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton by creating a new endowment in the College of Music focused on African Diaspora.
Hamilton, who joined MSU in 1968, was a trailblazer in the study of the African Diaspora. Her work began with research of Ghanaian women’s cooperative movements and expanded to include appreciation for the broader African diaspora. That work significantly shaped understandings about the global impact of African descendants. Hamilton’s contributions influenced international policy through her work with the United Nations and its issuing of the 1986 Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act. Her sudden 2003 death was tragic, but her will to continue her calling and fight for justice lives.
“Ruth had the personal and intellectual fortitude to stand up to anybody. She would not quietly tolerate injustice. No! Injustice is injustice, no matter how you cut it,” Dodson said.
Dodson arrived at MSU as a Hannah Distinguished Visiting Professor and continued mentoring with her African Atlantic Research Team (AART). Hamilton’s theoretical framework was central to Dodson building a reputation from research on Africa-inspired religious traditions in Cuba and the indispensable role of 19th century African American women in forming independent U.S. congregations and denominations. Dodson has given individual mentoring to more than seventy-five students – many women and students of color – through academic journeys. Most achieved honors and fellowships through academic competitive processes.
Percussionists like Gwen Dease (right) and Kevin Jones (second from left) lead the way in Schalon Hall, home to the MSU Percussion studio. Their work, especially that of Jones, is steeped in African Diaspora studies.
Dr. Dodson (second from left) with her African Atlantic Research Team (AART) Students and a preacher (center) from the Mt. Sinai Church in Banes, in Hoguin Province, Cuba. This church was organized by Caribbean English-speaking blacks in Cuba. AART was possibly the first research team, and definitely the first black research team, to investigate Banes and publish academic professional literature on the existence and significance of this Mt. Sinai Church and its location.
The Hamilton-Dodson African Diaspora Endowment will support the College of Music in several transformative ways. It will initiate and complete research projects and dissemination writing that explores the relationship between music and human cultural production. It will support faculty scholars and graduate students in enhancing and developing courses and course materials that deepen public and academic understanding of musical heritages as related to the global presence of the African Diaspora. It will also help document and preserve diverse musical traditions as they, too, are related to the African Diaspora. Additionally, the Hamilton-Dodson African Diaspora Endowment will expand music as an essential legacy focus of academic excellence.
The endowment honors Hamilton’s legacy while empowering next generations of researchers, musicians, and cultural leaders. For example, currently on the College of Music faculty are musicians and scholars Derrick Fox, Kevin Jones, Rodney Whitaker, and the entire Jazz Studies faculty. Collectively, their work exudes a deep understanding of the African Diaspora and its relation to the global arena of music. The new endowment will expand such expertise and opportunity for MSU.
Dr. Jualynne Dodson (left) continues to share her knowledge, presenting on her work and that of Dr. Hamilton.
“Ruth Hamilton was a complete powerhouse in every sense, as a person, a researcher, and an advocate. At one time, I taught saxophone to Ruth’s son, and Deborah Moriarty taught piano to her daughter. We became close with the family; Ruth and her spouse, Dr. James Hamilton, were our mentors. Her loss was tragic to us personally but also to the entire world in terms of her life’s work,” said Forger. “We are grateful that Dr. Dodson and her group have so generously honored Dr. Ruth Hamilton in this significant way that will be impactful in our college and support student success.”
Forger expressed that the Hamilton-Dodson African Diaspora Endowment represents a pivotal moment in the College’s journey to better understand and bring forth contributions of African descendants to our global musical heritage. Donors who support this endowment will help continue the visionary work of Drs. Hamilton and Dodson and help foster and expand deeper appreciations of our rich collective cultural heritage and national legacy.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact the College of Music Advancement Office at music.giving@msu.edu or (517) 353-9872.
