Ten members of the Westminster College Black Student Union traveled to Virginia to study their heritage.

The trip was organized and paid for by Westminster College Trustee Martha Wile of Williamsburg, Va..

"It was entirely Mrs. Wile's idea," said Jeannette Hooks, director of diversity services at Westminster College. "She invited us to her home for breakfast, and we were guests at their Country Club, where she brought in Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Stockton and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harvey. They talked to the group about the importance of getting a degree, perseverance, and survival skills as they relate to people of color."

The trip included stops in Williamsburg, Newport News, Jamestown, and Yorktown. The students visited museums and churches, toured marinas, and attended an 18th century play.

"The Virginia trip was not only fun, but educational," said Brian Murckson, a senior business administration major from Austintown, Ohio. "I wish everyone in the Black Student Union could have shared in that experience."

"The purpose of the trip was to teach minority students about their rich cultural heritage in America," Hooks said.

For more information, contact Hooks at (724) 946-7179 or e-mail hooksj@westminster.edu.