Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY COUNCILNewsletter
Mandela Week: Truly a One Campus ExperienceAs Edinboro University’s weeklong “One Campus Experience: A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela” unfolded, some students wanted to know why EU would celebrate the legacy of an anti-Apartheid leader from South Africa.
In December 2013, shortly after the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Hannan sent an email to the entire President’s University Diversity Council (UDC) to find out whether it might be interested in hosting or supporting an event that commemorated Mandela’s life and impact on the world. He also noted that while Mandela had his critics, it would be interesting and important for current students to take some time to examine his life, since many are too young to remember the struggles for equality associated with Mandela or issues like college student pressures for divestment in South Africa. At that same time, Dr. Stephen Sullivan, assistant professor of philosophy, was in the process of putting together academic panels with his faculty colleagues on various aspects of Mandela’s life.
The UDC jumped at the opportunity to coordinate such an event, so it combined Hannan’s idea and Sullivan’s initial work to create the weeklong event. The Council worked with a planning task force of faculty, staff, administrators, students and alumni to develop the programming for “A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela.”
(Continued on next page)
MARCH/APRIL 2014
edinboro.edu | 1
University Diversity Council Members
Valerie Hayes, co-chair and ex-officio Dr. Margaret Smith, Social Work, co-chair
FACULTY MEMBERS Dr. Susan Curtin, Education Dr. Adrienne Dixon-McCullum, Education Dr. Nomsa Geleta, Education Dr. Elizabeth Iglesias, Academic Services Center Dr. Suzanne McDevitt, Social Work
STAFF/ADMINISTRATIVE MEMBERS Janet Bowker, The Porreco Center Susan Goldthwaite, Athletics Shari Gould, Human Resources
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS William Lee Galt IV, SGA Congress Bradley Hill, SGA Congress
Meghan Findley, SGA Congress
GRADUATE STUDENTS Julia Hammond, Graduate Student Council
Christine Alozie, Graduate Student Council
Angela Martin Horn, Graduate Student Council
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Dr. Daniel Burdick, Music and Co-chair
LGBTQIA Commission Dr. Michael Hannan, Provost Valerie Hayes, Social Equity
Dr. Heather Kenny, Education and Co-chair
Women's Commission Toni Malena, Communications and Marketing
Dr. Robert McConnell, Office for Students with Disabilities
Participants from the candlelight walk
UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY COUNCILNewsletter
edinboro.edu | 2
Mandela Week: Truly a One Campus Experience (continued from page 1)
Professor Dr. Nomsa Geleta was born and raised in South Africa and knew the family of
world-famous retired Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She contacted international
human rights activist Nontombi Naomi Tutu, daughter of Desmond Tutu, who quickly and
gladly accepted Dr. Geleta’s invitation to speak at Edinboro on the topic of “Social Justice,
Unity and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela the Lived Model of Ubuntu.” The Baron-Forness
Library agreed to host a book display of works written by or about Nelson Mandela and
Archbishop Tutu. The Music Department also organized a beautiful rendition of the South
African National Anthem, transcribed by Captain B. Katz and performed by the Edinboro
University Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Ms. Tutu praised the ensemble for its performance.
Student participation on the UDC is integral to the University’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
In fall 2013, the Graduate Student Assembly, represented on the UDC by Christine Alozie and
Julia Hammond White, coined the conceptual phrase “One Campus Experience.” That phrase
has become the umbrella theme adopted by the President’s UDC for programming in the areas of diversity, inclusion and multicultural
education designed to reach the entire Edinboro University community. The conceptual theme was unveiled during the opening night of
Mandela Week.
The Graduate Student Assembly and the International Students Affiliation collaborated on the event-concluding candlelight walk, reflection
and reception. Also, just days from the kick-off of Mandela Week, the African Student Association joined in as well, reading Mandela quotes
to the audience on opening night.
An Erie area television station captured the essence of the week’s purpose and events.
Metaphorically speaking, Hannan planted the seed (the idea), Dr. Sullivan carefully watered it (the academic panels), and the UDC, alongside
the planning task force and contributions of other offices, organizations and groups, nurtured the growth of an idea that blossomed into
“A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela.” Just as Nelson Mandela brought a racially divided South Africa together through
the art of reconciliation, EU’s Mandela Week event was created through a collective of campus individuals, offices and organizations.
So what is next on the horizon for One Campus Experience?
The President’s University Diversity Council is working on a One Campus Experience certificate co-curricular program that focuses on
DIME – Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education. The unveiling of the certificate program is planned for September 2014.
Also in fall 2014, the second event under the One Campus Experience theme will commemorate the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
with a special tribute to Rosa Parks. As with the Mandela event, the planning task force will be comprised of faculty, staff, students and
alumni volunteers.
Nontombi Naomi Tutu and Robert Omoha
Frederick Douglass Institute Advisory BoardThe Frederick Douglass Institute Advisory Board, which is comprised of students, faculty and staff, held its first meeting on April 22, 2014.
The board looks forward to several events in the 2014-15 academic year, including a Frederick Douglass town hall during Homecoming
with a student panel and alumni allies, support for two teams who will participate in the Frederick Douglass Debate Society, planning
for the Frederick Douglass Living/Learning Floor (scheduled for 2015-16), and a Frederick Douglass Leadership Institute for presidents
of EU student organizations.
Looking Forward to the 2014-15 Academic YearAs we end the first year of the newsletter, the President’s University Diversity Council invites the campus community to submit short articles
on Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education (DIME) issues and topics.
Submissions can be sent to Valerie Hayes at [email protected].
In the next issue of the newsletter, you will hear from the two Presidential Commissions – the Women's Commission and the LGBTQIA
Commission. Both commissions are engaged in some exciting and impactful activities that will contribute to an inclusive and respectful
campus environment.
UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY COUNCILNewsletter
edinboro.edu | 3
One of the 14 universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity education institution and employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and disability
in its activities, programs or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, ADEA and the ADA.
edinboro.edu
Valerie Hayes, co-chair and ex-officio 814-732-2167
Dr. Margaret Smith, co-chair 814-732-1747
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
