Julius Chatman Living Learning Community
Grow, learn and have fun in a space where students of color and allies live right next door.
Located on the second floor of Gelston Hall, the Julius Chatman Living Learning Community (JCLLC) is named in honor of the first black student to attend Alma College. It provides a space for first-year Campbell Scholars to live together, build connections and develop leadership and advocacy skills to support students of color in a predominantly white institution. When you join the JCLLC, you’ll also earn a $750 stipend for the Alma Bookstore!
Requirements
All students living in the Julius Chatman Living Learning Community will also be a part of the Campbell Scholars program. JCLLC students must also meet the following requirements:
- Have an interest in developing leadership and advocacy skills to support marginalized populations.
- Participate in pre-orientation activities for students of color, such as the LINKS program.
- Enroll in the King-Chávez-Parks Mentor Program (KCP)as a mentee (sophomores may enroll in KCP as a mentee during their second year).
- Attend academic, social and cultural programs throughout the year. Participate in a group community service project.
- Enroll in a general education course with other Chatman Scholars for the first two semesters at Alma College.
- Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA.
About Julius Chatman
Julius Chatman attended Alma College from 1924 to 1927. He was the first black student to attend Alma and was recruited by college officials to play on the college’s football team. During his time on the football team, Chatman won two MIAA championships in 1926 and 1927. He was noted to have been one of the fastest defensive men in the state and was named an all-MIAA Fullback for his defensive and offensive work. Although he experienced success in athletics, Chatman faced hardships in the classroom, ultimately causing him to leave the college before completing his degree. Chatman lived most of his life in St. Louis, Michigan and became a small business owner. He married Grace Farmer and had four children, Thomas, Theodore, Julia and Frances. Chatman passed away in 1983, and his children now reside in Michigan, California and Texas.