In the heart of inner city Columbus stands a premier institution, a monument to the revitalization of a predominantly black neighborhood.The Ohio State University Department of African-American and African Studies Community Extension Center, which serves as a catalyst for community pride, education, research and change, holds symposiums and conferences on a variety of social sciences and humanities topics.The University of Texas at Arlington and the OSU Senate recognized this institution, 18 months ago, as a model program.After two years of restructuring the department and searching for an executive director, the center has appointed Graylyn Swilley-Woods. She will take office autumn quarter.An open house celebration was held Friday to officially welcome the new executive director. More than 200 people were present, including Board of Trustees Chairman, Alex Shumate, Interim President, Richard Sisson; and Kermit Hall, dean of the college of Humanities.”The revitalization of the center is a momentous event under my chairmanship,” Shumate said. “We have great resources, research and teaching as a land-grant institution, and that mandates support for the work of the center.”Sisson said the center has been one of the most visible entities of the university, which has a responsibility to provide access in different ways to the people of the state it serves. OSU should address issues of great concern to the community, and that is being done via the center. The role of the center has strengthened the role of the university, he said.”We look forward to great things under the leadership of the new director,” Sisson said. “She honors us.”The mission of the center is to enhance community access to the university where access has been limited in the past. The center also seeks to coordinate and promote academic and research projects that support and advance the concerns of the black community, and provide educational training that promotes economic opportunity for the community.The center’s strategic goal by 2001 is to be a recognized leader in Columbus in providing community based education, research and community service.To reach this goal, officials will pursue research expansion through internal and external funding. They hope to demonstrate excellence in education and training, extensively network with other organizations, and expand and develop its staff.Administrators at the center hope to expand its physical plant, adding a second floor which was in the original design. They also hope to increase this year’s funding by $225,000 and next year’s by $500,000.”The new director was a senior grant developer and manager who obtained more than $10 million in funding to support black issues and programs,” Hall said. “She knows the value of a dollar. We’re in good hands, so the center will flourish.”Swilley was presented with a check for $17,323 for the center by Gregory Darr of Broad Street Management – United Real Estate Services.