Countdown Contest

During Black History Month this February, test your knowledge of distinguished black Columbians by matching the below alumni with their biographies.

Send answers to campaignplanning@columbia.edu by Friday, February 10. Winners will be e-mailed and receive a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card.

1. This Columbian was the first African American governor of New York and first visually impaired person to address the Democratic National Convention. He represented Harlem as a state senator from 1985 until 2007 and was an adjunct professor at SIPA. _____ A. Lucy Diggs Slowelucy_diggs_slowe
2. The first African American graduate of Columbia’s architecture school, this Columbian was the primary architect of Harlem River Houses, one of the nation’s most successful public housing initiatives. _____ B. Marie Maynard Dalymarie_maynard_daly_2
3. A professional tennis player and the first African American woman to win a major sports title, this alumna was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and academic opportunities as well.  

____ C. David A. Patersondavid_a_pa__forum

4. The first African American woman licensed to practice architecture in the United States, this Columbian was also in 1936 the first African American women to receive a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering. _____ D. Charles R. Drewcharles_r_drew
5. In 1947, she became the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry, investigating cholesterol, sugars, and other nutrients’ effects on the heart. _____ E. John Louis Wilson Jr.john_louis_wilson_jr
6. This Columbian discovered plasma could be dried and reconstituted, making it possible to ‘bank’ blood for long periods of time. His research led to the world’s first blood bank and improved blood storage techniques. He also challenged racial segregation in blood donations. _____ F.  Beverly L. Greenebeverly_l_greene