Our History: Black Pioneers

#9111 Cleveland “Buddy” Howard Witherbee/Music Staff 1956 - 1959

#9111 Cleveland “Buddy” Howard joined the Dudley Witherbee staff in 1956. As a music teacher at the Schenectady Public Schools at that time, his extraordinary talents helped support all aspects of the Music Program in Witherbee Hall and around Camp. During his four years on staff, he worked to lead and support Cub-Plebe, Junior-Senior, and Leaders Chorus, Sunday Chapel, Rhythm Ramblers, Brass Quartet, Concert Band, and Big Show productions. Last Whistle’s from that era show Buddy at work with his colleagues in a wide range of roles.

Buddy went on to serve as a professor of Music at the University of New Hampshire from 1969-1998 and passed away in 1999 at age 67.

#9518 Robert “Bob” Hearn First Black Leader - 1959

#9518 Robert “Bob” Hearn joined the Dudley leadership ranks in 1959. He was in Yale Divinity School at the time and was recruited by #2697 Erd Harris. Bob and #8736 Ralph Mulligan were Co-Leaders in Poly Lodge in 1959. The Last Whistle from that year also shows Bob as part of the Dudley Doings team.

At Yale, he majored in Sociology and Religion but did not become ordained. Eventually, he received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale as well. In 1978, Bob moved to Baltimore, where he worked and taught at Johns Hopkins Public Policy Institute as an Associate Provost.

Bob fondly remembers his time at Camp and later enjoyed returning with his wife, Ruby, and two daughters to spend time in Suter Lodge while getting to know #7405 Willie Schmidt. Bob turned 88 in March of 2024.

#9778 Calvin “Cal” Chapman

First Known Black Camper - 1961

#9778 Calvin “Cal” Chapman came to Camp in 1961 as a Cub in Cutler Lodge. He is the first known Black camper to return for four summers as a Camper and participate in all divisions. In 1962, Cal’s Plebe summer was spent in Amherst Lodge. He was a second-half Junior in 1963, and Last Whistle records offer conflicting information about whether he was in Clark or Beal that summer. Cal’s last summer at Camp was in 1964 when he was a Senior in St. Lawrence. Cal’s brother, #10047 Phillip Chapman, attended Camp in 1963 and 1964. The brothers hailed from Elmsford, NY, during their time at Camp.

#10057 Sam Amukun Dudley Olympian - 1961

#10057 Sam Amukun was a Leader in 1962 and 1963 and was an Olympic runner who represented Uganda in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic games. Sam, a student-athlete at Colgate who played soccer and ran track and field, graduated in 1966.

A Co-Leader in Ross Lodge in 1962, Sam inspired the Cabin’s “Claim to Camp Fame” for that summer: “Sam running to yonder pasture with blazing speed.” Sam is also credited for inspiring the Camp track program to all-time highs. The 1962 Last Whistle declares the “track program accounted for more divisional records than any other single Dudley season” and continues that Sam “was able to give valuable instruction to Cub and Plebe track majors.” In 1963, Sam was a leader in Owasco Lodge.

While Sam was an Olympic sprinter and an inspiration to Dudley campers, he went on to earn a master’s degree in geology from the University of Manitoba and was a notable Canadian geologist until his death at 57 in 1998.

#10055 Drew Hatcher

First Known Black Camper to Become a Leader - 1967

#10055 Drew Hatcher was the first known African-American camper to become a cabin leader. Drew first attended Camp in 1963 as a Senior in Hamilton Lodge. In 1966, he was a Junior Leader in Watson, and in 1967, he became a Leader in Iroquois Lodge. He returned as a leader in 1969 (Cushman), 1970 (Danielson), and 1971 (MacIntyre). Drew’s brothers, #10673 Avery and #10718 Robert, also attended Camp.

After graduating from Williams College, Drew accepted a teaching position at Deerfield Academy before attending the University of Virginia Law School. After law school, Drew served as an Assistant DA for the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. With his law career firmly established, Drew moved to Washington, DC, and joined the Chief Counsel’s Office with the US Customs and Border Patrol. He retired from that position after a long and productive career. Drew and his wife Maureen hope their granddaughter will someday attend Camp Kiniya.