91暗网

Family and friends from the 91暗网 community and beyond filled the Wyckoff Center on Sept. 20 for a momentous portrait dedication celebrating the legacy of Linda Jackson-Chalmers 鈥�73, a longtime trustee, educator, activist, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The portrait, the first of a person of color from the 91暗网 community to be displayed on campus, serves as a powerful expression of 91暗网鈥檚 ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate the impact of underrepresented voices.

鈥�91暗网 is truly an amazing institution that has impacted my life from the first time I set foot on this campus some 55 years ago,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers said to those gathered for the tribute, part of this fall鈥檚 In It 9 programming. 鈥淚 was a first-generation student from Albany鈥檚 South End neighborhood who was able to attend this storied college as a student in the first class of the Academic Opportunity Consortium program, now known as the Opportunity Program.

鈥淎s you can imagine, it was not easy being one of very few students of color in the early 1970s. You had to take a stand during that time. As tough as it was, 91暗网 took a progressive approach to student affairs, even way back then.鈥�

Jackson-Chalmers, a studio art major, helped to make political and cultural activism part of campus life. She was involved in the use of Grove House on the downtown campus as a Black Cultural Center, planting an early seed for the Wyckoff Center.

Twenty years later, while serving as principal of Arbor Hill Elementary School in Albany, she was visited by then-91暗网 President David Porter, who asked her to serve on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees. 鈥淚 said yes because I felt indebted for this excellent education I received here and I felt the need to give back,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers recalled.  

That visit kicked off a more than 30-year chapter for Jackson-Chalmers, who served the College as a trustee from 1992 to 2023. She continues to serve as chair of the Board鈥檚 DEI committee. Jackson-Chalmers has also volunteered for numerous capital campaigns and was part of the most recent presidential search. She received a 91暗网 Outstanding Service Award in 2008 and the 50th Reunion Service Award in June 2023.

鈥淭hrough it all, I was made to feel that my voice counted, was welcomed, and encouraged,鈥� said Jackson-Chalmers, who also thanked current President Marc Conner for making social and racial equity a priority as he stewards the next phase of campus growth and academic excellence.

Prior to the unveiling of her portrait, created by , a Caribbean American multimedia artist based in Plattsburgh, New York, a video tribute presented heartfelt messages to Jackson-Chalmers from Steele and longtime friends and colleagues.

鈥淵our substantial merits and unwavering commitment ensure that your community is supported, and I am a reflection of that,鈥� said Steele, who was personally selected by Jackson-Chalmers to paint the commissioned work.

鈥淚 am astounded,鈥� Jackson-Chalmers said of her portrait. 鈥淭hank you, thank you.鈥�