On Sept. 26, I awoke to a very distressing email from the mother of a Virginia State University parent whose daughter plays for the school’s soccer team. The mother alleged that her daughter and teammates were subjected to taunting from Guilford fans during a match on our campus the night before. Some of those taunts, she wrote, were racial in nature.

I gathered more detailed information from our administrators and reached out to the president of Virginia State University with an apology for the unacceptable behavior exhibited by some spectators. I made a public statement for our website about my disappointment, outlining actions that would be taken and making it clear that behavior of this type will not be tolerated at Guilford. That same day I ordered an investigation into the incident.

Following interviews conducted with more than 30 students, fans, student athletes, coaches and athletic staff as well as audio from a webcast, I’m convinced a small group of students displayed extremely poor sportsmanship that night. We have apologized to the university and the VSU women’s soccer players. Based on our investigation, I’m equally convinced there was unacceptable racial banter between Guilford fans, but those comments were not directed at Virginia State’s student-athletes.

I know the past week has been difficult for Virginia State. Thirty-five years ago, I was a college freshman at a predominantly white institution in Washington, D.C. I recall being one of eight African-American men in my residence hall of 800 students.

Early on, when matters of race would arise, many of my Black friends and I questioned if we had chosen the right institution. Eventually we learned how to navigate obtaining our college degrees and achieving our broader goals, despite perceptions that some others may have had of who we were based on the color of our skin. At some point during my senior year I decided what one of my broader goals would be. I wanted to play a role in shaping the higher education experiences of all students.

Two years ago, I accepted the opportunity to be the 10th president of Guilford College and the first African-American in the role. Family members and friends point out that precedent with pride. Guilford’s story is one that reflects many of the complexities of our country’s racial narrative.

This highly regarded Quaker institution didn’t desegregate until 1962, 125 years after its founding following years of resistance from its board and administration. Today, 54 percent of our 1,200 students are non-white, and the federal government classifies Guilford as a minority serving institution. This makes the recent incident even more disappointing to me as President and African-American.

The incident brings to mind issues we need to address on our campus and so many others. First is conduct at athletic events. Unfortunately, we have hit a point in public conduct where it is common for spectators to behave in inappropriate ways. At its core, intercollegiate athletics is about spirited competition and opportunities for students to build skills in leadership and teamwork.

Second – and I know I may be accused of airing the dirty laundry of the Black community – we have to cease use of the N-word. Today, I encounter too many conversations on and off campus and in other areas of culture (music, video games, sports) where it is used. If we use this word, even among friends, it might be heard as targeting someone else. Either way, its use is a poor reflection on oneself, and we must end its normalization.

I sympathize with the parents of Virginia State’s students. I understand their anger. I have felt their anger in the past week.

In two years, my step-daughter will face one of her most important questions as a teenager: Where do I want to attend college? It’s quite possible that she will decide between a historically Black college or university, a minority serving institution like Guilford or a predominantly white institution as I did. Like any parent, I want her to be able to participate in whatever activities she wants – a play, a lecture, a women’s soccer match – and do so without hesitation due to the actions of those around her.

At Guilford, we have a commitment – I would say an obligation – to help our students grow and see themselves as models for our broader society. As the president of a minority serving institution, I hope we can mend a relationship with VSU – a historic and important HBCU.

Moreover, I believe we can learn important lessons that will help Guilford be an even stronger institution now and in the future.

This op-ed was published by the News & Record of Greensboro on Oct. 8, 2023.