SIUC men’s track and field sprinter Romante Archer’s room features two towering shelves full of books.

Some of the books’ authors include Ralph Wiley, Cornel West and Terry McMillan, well-known African-American writers. At last count, Archer recalls owning more than 2,000 pieces of reading material.

While balancing academics and athletics, Archer finds time to buy two books a week and strives to read at least seven a month.

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People may wonder where Archer gets the motivation to make a habit of reading about the African-American culture, but he knows why.

It builds a lot of self-esteem and confidence just to know where you come from, Archer, a junior in radio television and computer science from Maywood, said. Throughout life, we got taught the untruth, so I had to take all that untruth and unlearn it.

Dr. Joseph Brown, head of the Black American Studies Department, said Archer’s desire to achieve increases his chances of succeeding.

I appreciate any student who takes the initiative to learn, Brown said. Then, what you learn is going to stick with you, and any teacher would be supportive of that.

Archer has used his knowledge of African-American history to attain positions, such as programming chairman of Black Affairs Council and president of the student branch for the nation-wide Association for Black Cultural Centers. Throughout his academic career at SIUC, Archer has been a member of 12 different Registered Student Organizations.

I am somebody who tries to do a lot of things so that I cannot necessarily influence, but more or less motivate others to get up off their butt and do things, Archer said. A lot of things I try to do are things that are going to affect people in later life.

Archer has found a way to be a positive influence on the children of Carbondale by visiting the Eurma Hayes Center at least three times a week.

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He said the center, which provides a number of programs for Carbondale’s low-income community, did not have enough African-American support in the tutoring program.

I was uncomfortable with (the fact) that there was no black faces, Archer said. When I saw that I went into shock, so since then, I’ve been going over so they can see a positive, black face.

Last Saturday, Archer participated in the fourth annual Sponsor-a-Child program at the center. The event, sponsored by the Black Affairs Council and Attucks Community Service, gave SIUC students a chance to provide gifts for kids at the center.

He wanted to do something for the community, Delores Albritton, executive director of Attucks Community Service, said. I don’t think he’s very familiar with community, but he wants to put something back that he got from SIU.

But when Archer finds time in his busy schedule, track and field becomes the focal point of his life. Archer competes in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, as well as the 4 X 100-meter relay.

Track is my love. Track is what eases pain and personal frustration, Archer said. That’s what I consider my temple. When I step on the track, it’s just me and God.

Men’s track and field coach Bill Cornell said Archer brings his motivation skills to the sport.

He is probably the team motivator right now, Cornell said. Just standing around on the track, I can see the enthusiasm coming out of him.

Despite all the people he has given a positive impression, Archer cannot take credit for the person he is today. He does not believe in heroes, but calls his mother Rose the closest thing.

My mother is the epitome of strength because she raised me by herself, he said. I don’t get into the hero thing, but I think of her as a person who enlightened me, and I look at those people as influences.