Civil- rights activist Dr. Cleveland Sellers announced plans to retire as director of the African American Studies Program at USC on June 30.

Sellers, known internationally for his work in the civil- rights movement and as an advocate for social justice, will become research professor of African American Studies/ History and Senior Scholar- in- Residence.

Sellers, who has served as program director for seven years, said he was eager to return to research and was confident he is leaving the program on sound footing.

"Now that the program is in the best position and condition it's ever been, I am eager to get back to my scholarly research, writing and the 'Keeping on the River' project," Sellers said.

The project, which includes a book and scholarly research journal articles, examines the beginning of the movements of the 1950s, 1960s, and the 1970s while explaining the role of memory, moralization, and commercialization of these movements.

The study will also examine how the "New South," particularly South Carolina, adjusted to societal changes brought about by the civil- rights movement.

The African American Studies Program celebrated its 35th anniversary last year and continues its annual spring lecture series, the Robert Smalls Lecture. The program has six faculty members (joint hires), offers interdisciplinary courses, and has 40 majors. Graduates of the program are accepted into prestigious graduate programs or enter the work force in fields as diverse as teaching and archives.