The civil rights movement didn't only create increased rights for blacks, but also spawned African-American study programs at colleges across the nation. The University was one of the first to have one.

Last week, the University's Center for Afroamerican and African Studies celebrated its 35th anniversary.

The center sponsored a conference called "The Future of Black Studies" last Thursday and Friday at Rackham Assembly Hall. Attendees discussed issues like black political activism and Afro-diasporic cultures.

Speakers included professors from the University as well as other colleges.

The University is one of few schools that offers classes on the African diaspora, which includes African studies, African-American studies and Afro-Caribbean studies.

"We're expanding the notion of what African-American studies can be," CAAS Director Kevin Gaines said.

He said the CAAS program at the University is unique because it focuses on undergraduate education and training future scholars.

"At Michigan, we have built this really large and pre-eminent program by using a multi-generational model," Gaines said. "Other programs hire prominent senior scholars who generate a lot of publicity, but they're less involved in the training of the next generation of researchers."

CAAS Prof. Jon Lockard is the last remaining founding member of the center. He still remembers the beginning of CAAS.

He said CAAS was created as a response to the demands of black students on campus.

Students demanded a department, but the University offered a center.

Lockard would not speak about the backlash and struggles he and the center endured during those tumultuous times.

"Let dead dogs die and let's plant a few fresh seeds," he said.

Lockard said CAAS is an integral part of the University.

"Students from different ethnic groups have an opportunity to learn about the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans," he said.

He said he wants CAAS to reach out to younger students before they enter the University.

"We don't have an institution yet that has ties or connections to high schools or elementary schools," he said. "We're training students of all ethnic groups to understand some of the developments, dilemmas and successes of African-American existence and growth and take that back to high schools and elementary schools."

LSA senior Kennesha Kelly decided to become a CAAS major because of the diverse history of the African diaspora, which gave her a different perspective on world issues.

"You have to talk about France, Germany, all these places that colonized Africa," she said. "You get a global perspective on a lot of issues."

Kelly said she eventually wants to work for a nonprofit organization, dealing with global health issues like health disparities and developments around the world.

Kelly is one of 50 students who are graduating with CAAS majors and minors this year.

Lockard would like to see students take more of the 50 courses that CAAS offers.

"We ought not have an educational experience that allows students to leave as they came," he said. "They come as boys and girls and they leave as young men and young women."