Happy Black History Month!

Black History Month is an important time during our year to highlight and celebrate the lives and contributions of a group of people who are crucial to our society and our campus here at Kettering College. As a faith-based healthcare college, we are here to educate learners no matter their race or ethnicity in a way that inspires them to treat patients of all ethnicities and races with top-notch care – and to do so as an expression of the love that God has for each one of us.

Someone who always comes to my mind during Black History Month is a former mentor and professional hero who inspired me to imagine life as a college leader and guided me on that journey.  Occidental College President Emeritus John Brooks Slaughter came to Oxy during my sophomore year as a renowned engineer who had served as the first African American Director of the National Science Foundation.  During my postdoc back at Oxy he took time not only to share with me personally his own journey as a scientist, professor and leader, but also to encourage and inspire me.  I will never forget his gift of time, of encouragement, and of sharing his personal journey – including his struggle as a black man in higher education.  His story is one of perseverance and success, and it provided me with personal window into the purpose of Black History Month.  You can read more about “JB” here (although to me he will always be President Slaughter).

It is important that we ensure that black and brown people are treated justly in our systems and recognized and celebrated for their hard work and achievements – past, present and future. I personally want to thank each and every one of you for choosing Kettering College for your education or workplace. Let us continue to be the change we want to see in our community.

God Bless,

Nate Brandstater

President, Kettering College

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