Commentary on the Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Professorship Community Event

Essence magazine once called Rachel B. Noel a “legend in her own time.” Though I knew little about Mrs. Noel before the 2010 Distinguished Visiting Professorship Community Event held in her honor, the accuracy of this statement became quickly apparent to me as I watched a few hundred finely dressed people of all races filter into the Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church this past Tuesday, February 23.

What did I learn about Mrs. Noel? That she was an activist, who was a key player in ridding the state of segregation; that she founded and then chaired the Department of African American studies at Metro State; and that she was a soft-spoken but powerful and kind woman who made a lasting impression on thousands of people. (For more details on her life, the middle school named after her, and her other accomplishments, click here.)

I lucked out and was able to chat with her daughter Angie for a few minutes during the reception. I discovered that Angie Noel feels no sadness at these events, despite the fact that her mother passed away this month two years ago. Instead, she feels heartened by the fact that the community, President Stephen Jordan, and Metropolitan State College of Denver continue to support and grow her mother’s educational efforts.

“If mom were here, she would be well pleased by the progress and in Metro’s commitment to diversity,” Angie Noel explained. “Metro is advancing and deepening her legacy.”

When President Jordan spoke a few moments later, he echoed Angie Noel’s perspective by reminding people of Mrs. Noel’s ongoing positive impact in Denver and at Metro State and by Metro’s long-term pledge to continue to bring distinguished professors to the school annually. “Rachel B. Noel called for change calmly, but forcefully,” President Jordan added. “She is credited with changing the way our children are educated today.”

For more information on the event, please check in with us over the next week. I will be posting some videos of the Metro State Choir’s performance, the Metro State African Drumming Ensemble, some snippets from Julius Coles’ speech, and next Wednesday morning I’ll post the upcoming @Metro news article about the event. More photos from the event are available on the Alumni & Friend Flickr site.