The Quadres Society

The Quadres Society was a club of UC students founded in 1935 by Donald Spencer (husband of Marian Spencer). The Quadres sought to promote Black inclusion in extracurricular activities at UC during a time of segregation in campus organizations. The main goals of the society were to “promote high achievement and scholarships, foster cultural enterprise, to aid social life, and to encourage better interracial relationships.” Most famously, the Quadres sponsored both scholarly endeavors and creative works by Black students including music, writing, and theater. During the almost two decades of the Quadres Society hosting activities on campus, the vast majority of meetings were held in the lobby of Tangeman University Center. As an open and available space to UC’s community (just like it is today), this was one of the few places on campus where the Quadres Society could gather.