MSUM celebrates Black History Month honoring Professor Emeritus Dr. Yvonne Condell
Minnesota State University Moorhead is proud to honor Professor Emeritus Dr. Yvonne Condell during its Black History Month celebration. A revered educator, mentor, and advocate, Dr. Condell dedicated her career to advancing knowledge, equity, and opportunity in science and education.
The event, “Dr. Yvonne Condell: A Legacy of Knowledge, Advocacy, and African American Progress,” will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. at the Christianson Alumni Center, 707 11th St. S., Moorhead.
Dr. Condell and her late husband, Dr. James Condell, were trailblazers as the first African Americans at MSUM, helping shape a more inclusive and equitable academic environment. Their contributions to academia, the arts, and the community continue to inspire generations.
The event will feature a keynote address from Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress and the first woman and first African American to lead the nation’s library. Nominated by President Barack Obama and sworn in in 2016, Dr. Hayden has been a champion for expanding access to knowledge and preserving diverse histories.
Following her retirement in 1995, Dr. Condell remained deeply engaged in community service and advocacy, serving on the boards of Minnesota Public Radio, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the MSUM Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. She played a pivotal role in the Upper Midwest Women’s History Center, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, and the American Association of University Women, where she has been involved for over 50 years.
Dr. Condell’s influence reached beyond academia, as she was featured in major publications including Good Housekeeping, The New Yorker, and Time Magazine through her volunteer work with AARP.
Read more about Yvonne’s career and life in a 2019 MSUM Advocate article, Former MSUM Professor still active in community.
Dr. James Condell was the first licensed psychologist in Minnesota and a talented jazz pianist and guitarist. His contributions to students and musicians in the Fargo-Moorhead area were recently showcased in the documentary “Breaking Barriers: The Legacy of Dr. James Condell,” premiered by MSUM students.
Read more about Dr. James Condell, Article by Tracy Briggs – Documentary shines light on barrier-breaking MSUM professor and musician