Lillian D. Anthony, director of the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights, has accepted a post as the first regular faculty member of the new Afro-American Studies Dept. Miss Anthony will serve as associate chairman and assistant professor in the department.

Professor Richard Blue, chairman of the department advisory committee, described Miss Anthony as an âÄúaggressive, charming person, She has a real strength in the area of relations with the local black community and in her experience in the mayorâÄôs office.âÄù

The advisory committee (consisting of faculty, black students, and members of the black community), is currently looking for a regular department chairman. Miss AnthonyâÄôs appointment is indicative of the community orientation projected for the new department. âÄúShe doesnâÄôt have to usual academic credentials we look for this sort of position,âÄù said Blue. âÄúOn the other hand, her experience fits in well with the community thrust of the department and her administrative experience will be valuable.âÄù

Miss Anthony has been director of the Civil Rights Dept since 1967, and has had 11 years of administrative and supervisory experience while employed by the City of Minneapolis, the U.S. Department of Labor, and social service agencies.

She has had five years teaching experience in the United States and Egypt, and holds a bachelor of science in elementary education and a masterâÄôs degree in religious education.

In her letter of resignation to Mayor Charles Stenvig, Miss Anthony said she was looking forward to the opportunity to âÄúexpress joy and have fun. I am tired of being angry and hostile, of dealing with the hostilities of white racism.

âÄúI am a teacher at heart,âÄù she said, âÄúbut I have found it difficult to teach those who are paternalistic, racist, bigots or liberals much of anything about justice and equality. My energies are being wasted.âÄù

Miss Anthony will teach courses in Afro-American history.

Her appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Regents and will probably become effective Sept. 15. Her resignation will take effect on Oct. 3 because of compensatory time and vacation benefits due her.

There have been no other faculty appointments to the department.âÄù There are no precedents for this kind of programâÄù said Blue.

The first regular class has also been decided upon for the program. It will be a progressive three quarter course in Swahili taught by a student, Amos Odenyo. The rest of the course will be cross-listed with other departments, such as Allan SpearâÄôs course in black history, Blue said.