EAST LANSING — Michigan State University Press is proud to announce the upcoming release of “Forever in the Path: The Black Experience at Michigan State University” by Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie, a distinguished historian and current Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at MSU. Scheduled for publication in February 2025, this comprehensive 682-page volume explores the rich and complex history of Black students, faculty, and staff at America’s first agricultural college.
In “Forever in the Path,” Dr. Dagbovie weaves a detailed narrative that spans from the 1890s through the late 20th century, highlighting the transformative roles played by African Americans in shaping the university’s identity. The book blends intellectual, social, and institutional history with African American biographical tradition, capturing the trials and triumphs of the Black community at MSU.
Dr. Dagbovie, a University Distinguished Professor in MSU’s Department of History, is renowned for his rigorous scholarship and dedication to making history accessible and relevant to a broad audience. His previous works and his role as an editor for the Journal of African American History have established him as a pivotal figure in the field of African American studies.
“Dr. Dagbovie’s work is more than just a historical account; it is an examination of the indomitable spirit indomitable spirit and contributions of the Black community at MSU,” said MSU Press Director Elizabeth Demers. “This book is essential for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of racial history in American educational institutions and its implications for today.”
Keith R. Widder, author of “Michigan Agricultural College” shared praise for the new book and recognized the care that went into writing it.
“Dagbovie’s exhaustively researched ‘Forever in the Path’ introduces us to the Black students, staff and faculty who courageously built the path to racial integration at Michigan State University during the twentieth century,” Widder said. “Along the way, Dagbovie tells us how people and events on the local, state and national stages influenced developments at MSU and how the university’s story fits into the larger historical picture. To understand the history of MSU, this magnificent book is a must-read.”
“Forever in the Path” delves into the arrival of the first Black students at MSU, their challenges, and their enduring legacies. It chronicles significant events such as the hiring of the university’s first full-time Black faculty member and the contributions of Black individuals during the Civil Rights Movement. Through personal stories and institutional analysis, the book sheds light on the broader impact of these pioneers on both MSU and society at large.
Dagbovie depicts and imagines how his numerous subjects’ upbringings and experiences at the institution informed their futures, and how they benefitted from and contributed to MSU’s vision, mission and transformative role in the history of higher education.
The book will be available in hardcover and eBook formats from MSU Press. For more information, visit https://msupress.org/9781611864946/forever-in-the-path.