Springfield College faculty eating in cafeteria

A photographic print of a group of Springfield College faculty eating a meal in a cafeteria. They have trays with plates of food in front of them. Those identified are Dr. Charles Weckwerth (second on left), Dr. Edward Bilik (first on right), and Dr. Jesse Parks (second on right).Jesse L. Parks was a physical education professor and coordinator of graduate studies at Springfield College. He was also an active member of the Civil Rights movement. Parks was born in Ohio and graduated from Oberlin College. After graduation, he served for three years in the army. Parks received the Danforth Teacher Grant in 1955-56, when he completed his graduate studies at the University of Michigan. In 1961, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. That September, he became an associate professor of physical education at Springfield College. During the summer of 1962, he led a group of students on a project with the Egyptian Government under the auspices of Operation Crossroads Africa. In 1972, Parks was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention. He was also vice president of the Springfield Community Council, founder of Parks Douglas Ross Culture center, a cooperator of Baystate Medical Center, and a member of the NAACP board of directors. Parks passed away on March 29, 1984