In 1966, the first Black zoology professor at Eastern Illinois University started EIU’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter, serving his country as a World War II veteran in the Army before that.

This is the legacy of Bill T. Ridgeway, who was honored by the EIU biological sciences department Tuesday. Ridgeway first joined the university faculty here at Eastern in 1966 after earning his PhD at the University of Missouri the same year.

He joined as a professor of zoology back when zoology and botany were separate departments. Ridgeway also brought the Africana studies curriculum to Eastern before his retirement in 1985.

He was married for 43 years before his wife, Leta Mae Baker, passed away on Dec. 10, 2004. He passed away on Nov. 7, 2015 at the age of 87.

Ridgeway was survived by one son, two daughters, four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Twenty-five years ago, the zoology and life sciences departments were combined into today’s biological sciences department.

Marschelle McCoy, the office manager of the biological sciences department, decided to host the event as part of a series of events honoring the merging of the departments.

“This semester, we’re doing something on the 25th of every month, and since it’s Black History Month, we’re honoring Dr. Ridgeway,” she said.

To McCoy, Black History Month means a lot.

“Black History Month is a time set aside to review, renew and learn about the history of African Americans,” she said.

McCoy also said that Black History Month is for everyone to come together and celebrate history and culture.

A few dozen students, former faculty and community members were in attendance. The event opened with welcoming remarks by Eden Effert-Fanta, an assistant professor in the Biological Sciences department.

Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity on campus read poetry and performed in honor of Ridgeway. Several audience members ranging from family members to former students and faculty recalled their favorite memories of him.

They all described him as a tough professor and father, yet caring and willing to help his loved ones and students succeed.

Kenneth Crump, an EIU alumni who graduated in the fall of 1976 shared a story about how Ridgeway helped him find the credits he needed to graduate. He said Ridgeway advocated for him when not many did.

Others spoke about how Ridgeway built a community for Black students on campus through teaching, helping find jobs and even financial support through school in some cases.

Crystal Spearman, a junior criminal justice major, helped McCoy plan the event.

“I think it went really well. I work for the department of Biological Sciences, so I helped put together the event,” she said.

The subject of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion also came up during the event where Thomas Canam, the chair of the biological sciences department, spoke about the subject during his remarks.

“We will not allow this hard work to be undone by transient administrations with the stroke of a pen,” he said.

Jacob Hamm can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmhamm@eiu.edu.