By Anne Baker

Though appointed amid controversy, Richard O’Bryant, director of the African American institute that bears his family’s name, has made slow but steady progress toward creating a unified core of students, faculty and director, in his first semester in the role.

“From my perspective, there’s a different vibe going through the institute, and I think it’s a positive one,” said former student Devin Phillip, who now works part-time at the institute.

O’Bryant became interim director of the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute (JDOAAI) last summer, replacing dean Lula Petty-Edwards. The decision to replace Petty-Edwards was marked by criticism, largely by students who felt the decision, made during the summer when many were on co-op or at home, left them in the dark. Despite some objections, he was named director in September.

“The institute was built by and for black students, so when students aren’t involved in important decisions, that’s when students get angry,” said senior behavior neuroscience major Shane Lloyd. Although some students may not have initially received O’Bryant warmly, it had little to do with him personally, said junior computer engineering major Marques Crosby.

“I don’t think it was targeted so much toward Richard himself,” he said. “I think a lot of students were attached to Dean Petty-Edwards, so I think it was more them confused on why she was being removed.” However, months later, students and faculty have begun to embrace O’Bryant and his goals for the institute, he said.

“Students were, understandably, disappointed that a change was made because they had developed an affinity for the previous director,” he said. “As time has gone by, it has gotten better and continues to get better every day.”

O’Bryant is the son of John D. O’Bryant, the first African-American appointed as vice president of the university. He hopes to ensure his father’s legacy of helping students through support and encouragement to succeed, he said.

“He had a strong commitment to making sure students were successful,” O’Bryant said of his father. “He always saw the greater possibility for students