02/14/2024
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In recognition of Black History Month, today’s features Dr. Raymond Hall, a CWU Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies who taught courses in African American Studies, Folklore, and Cultural Anthropology.
Dr. Raymond Hall was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949. He served in the Vietnam War in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. After the war, Raymond struggled with keeping up with university classes and decided to move to Mexico. When Raymond returned to the United States, he attended Indiana University where he earned his BA, MA, and PhD. Raymond initially became a master diver and underwater archeologist. During his graduate studies, he focused on Folklore. He graduated with his PhD in 1999 with his thesis titled “The Afromestizo on Mexico’s Atlantic Coast: Ethnicity through Food, Festival, and Dance, based on fieldwork on the Veracruz coast of Mexico.” He later transformed his thesis into a book titled ‘An Ethnographic Study of Afro-Mexicans in Mexico’s Gulf Coast: Fishing, Festivals, and Foodways’ published by Mellen Press in 2008.
After receiving his PhD, Raymond taught African American Studies, Folklore, and Cultural Anthropology at DePauw University, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Tennessee. In 2008, Raymond came to Central Washington University as an Associate Professor in the Africana and Black Studies Program. Raymond was also an advisor within the Brother 2 Brother (B2B) Association, an organization established to assist men in excelling academically, socially, culturally, and professionally. Raymond served as the project manager of research that shed insight into the history and culture of early African-American coal miners in Roslyn, WA. Raymond continued to conduct research, present, and publish on the folkways of Afromestizo on Mexico’s Atlantic Coast and the Afroecuatoriano on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. He was the author of ‘Let the Africans Speak: Africans in Tamiahua Veracruz, Mexico from 1692-1847’ and ‘The History of the Tamiahua Veracruz, Mexico.’ His work includes many short documentaries, including “Cuba the Dark Island,” and many published articles including in ‘The Journal of American Folklore.’
Throughout his time at the university, Dr. Hall was committed to diversity and inclusion at Central and often committed money, time, and energy to make the campus a safe and comfortable space for students.
Dr. Raymond Hall retired from CWU in 2018. He passed away on April 7th, 2018.
Did you know Dr. Hall or have him as a professor? Share your memories in the comments below.
To learn more about the life of Dr. Raymond Hall, use the following link:
https://cwuobserver.com/12089/news/dr-hall-mourned-by-friends-and-family/