It's become an MSU College of Engineering annual tradition - Maggie Blair-Ramsey showing Spartan Engineers her expression of a rich heritage and worldwide opportunity during Black History Month.
Blair-Ramsey is the college's coordinator of the Engineering Education Abroad Program. In her 21 years at MSU, she has sent hundreds, perhaps thousands of students to explore and learn by studying abroad. Each February, she represents some of her own travels through fashion.
"Each outfit is 100 percent cotton from various regions of Africa. This year I've selected outfits from Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana," she said. "These outfits are purchased for wear to weddings, church, funerals and special events that are common among my ancestors. The women wore them proudly, and so do I every occasion I get to show them off.
"Black history to me is something I craved as a child because I knew very little about my African heritage," she explained. "There were no books or reading material in my schools to educate me on my rich heritage. Since coming to live and work at MSU, I have had the opportunity to learn more about my culture. I embrace my African-American culture and hope it is expressed in these fashions."
Blair-Ramsey said education abroad is not for every student.
"For many, however, it is one of the greatest opportunities a student will experience during their college years."
While education abroad is temporarily halted due to the pandemic, Spartan Engineers have journeyed to Australia, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, and Spain in the past.