2021-Tyler Cook
After spending my life in Philadelphia navigating through the intersections of anti-blackness, homophobia, and racial capitalism; I struggled to know who I was. If you were to ask me if I thought I was the Lafayette ideal then I would have said no. As a Black queer man I’ve always felt like this outsider looking in, that I was invisible and hyper-visible simultaneously.
However, it wasn’t until I got exposed to A&S and English courses on the work of Black scholars who challenge the Western literary canon that I found purpose. Black feminist theory and queer literature is revolutionary because it’s a site where one can re-imagine alternative worlds outside of oppressive structures. It is a space that illuminates the power of intersectionality and asserts the unlearning and relearning required for us to build a community of individuality but also peoplehood. As I continued reading Black literature and learning about my identity, the more I felt empowered to start contributing to this world-making on campus. It is why I was excited to be an openly queer President of ABC, on the Board of Trustees of Student Life, and a leader of Dear Lafayette College. I wanted to make sure that the tools that I was learning to help understand and better myself was being giving those back to the community.
Therefore, I believe that the Lafayette ideal is a student who understands the power of education as a means of building community as well. This is a student that demonstrates leadership, integrity, and teamwork. I represent the Lafayette’s ideal because as a Black queer student activist I must fulfill my obligation as a full-time student while also working to dismantle the very oppressive structures that limits and pathologies folks like myself. Throughout my time at Lafayette I’ve witnessed our talent, intellect, innovation, and the power of community on this campus. It is because of you all I still imagine and hope for this New World that I believe we can work towards here.
Academic Activity/Award 1:
Lafayette’s Anthropology & Sociology Club-1 year-I was a regular member during my junior year and then went on to serve as the Head Speaker of the organization.
Academic Activity/Award 2:
Interdisciplinary Research-Fall 2021 semester-I completed research examining the social determinants of health of US Black Women & Queer Folks using an intersectional approach; specifically observing domains of race, gender, and class.
Campus Service Activity /Award 1:
Association of Black Collegians-3 years-I served as a regular member of ABC during my first and sophomore year of college. It was my junior year when I was elected President of ABC.
Campus Service Activity /Award 2:
Portlock Black Cultural Center Student Coordinator-1 year-The Portlock Student Coordinator is one who honors the legacy of the David A. Portlock Black Cultural Center. It is to adhere to the respectful use of such space, fostering an atmosphere that contributes to the academic, social, and cultural growth of the Lafayette community.
Campus Service Activity /Award 3:
Board of Trustees Student Life Committee-1 year-As a member of the Student Life Committee, I have the responsibility to consider and recommend policies governing matters related to the comprehensive student experience, including cocurricular student learning, residential living, health, intercollegiate athletics and recreation, intercultural development, social and religious life, student organizations, and student conduct.
Campus Service Activity /Award 4:
ABC Wins Hoff Award for Program of the Year-2020-ABC won the Program of the Year for our trip to the National Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture.
Community Service 1:
Prison Correspondence at Northampton County Prison-6 months-Due to COVID-19 we weren’t able to visit the prison and do learning activities with the incarcerated women so instead we set up a correspondence. Through this I have been able to be in touch with my person and share good readings and stories with her. It’s been an emotional experience but I’ve find it important to remind her that regardless of what she is in prison for, I see her as a human being.
Community Service 2:
Our Beloved Community-3 years-Lafayette College’s Our Beloved Community (OBC) symposium is a call to action to become that critical mass. OBC is an offering from our renowned faculty, staff and student leaders to take critical steps to enact global social change. During OBC I host a high school student for a weekend and help give them the best college experience possible and empower them to apply to college, but even better to apply at Lafayette.
Community Service 3:
Together from Application to Graduation-1 year-The TAG program, Together from Application to Graduation, provides support to students from the moment they consider applying to Lafayette, to graduation and beyond. I am a senior mentor for the program and am responsible for serving as a support system and almost as a survival guide for underclass students navigating Lafayette.
Athletic Activity /Award 1:
Ice Skating Club-1 year-During my sophomore year I took on the responsibility of being Vice President of the Ice Skating Club. It functioned more as an intramural club and we organized trips every three weeks just for students who wanted to have a good time on the ice! However, because the club required that we paid for the expenses of the trip with our own pocket and then wait weeks for a refund to be processed, we couldn’t keep affording to organize trips. Regardless, it was still a great time when I look back at the amount of times I fell.
Athletic Activity /Award 2:
Student Athletic Trainer-3 years-As a Student AT I am First Aid & CPR certified. I was assigned to work with the Football Team and some of my duties included assisting the Athletic Trainers, traveling overnight games, and taping wrist and ankles as well as treated athletes with therapeutic methods.
Special Interest Activity/Award 1:
Dear Lafayette College Coalition-established in June 2020-The DLC Coalition seeks Black liberation through the eradication of fascism, white supremacy, and Anti-Blackness on the campus of Lafayette College. Our mission is to ensure justice for all Black people who have constantly been oppressed by systemic racism and patriarchy. We have come together to hold Lafayette College accountable for their role in racial inequality, police surveillance and misconduct, and any system that does not promote the true equality and equity of all persons regardless of race.