Melissa Harris-Perry will serve as one of two keynote speakers 

Associate Provost for Diversity Bridget Newell circulated an email to the student body on March 9 containing information about the University’s first annual Diversity Summit, which will be held from March 29-30.

The keynote speakers at the Summit will include Melissa Harris-Perry, the Presidential Endowed Chair in Politics and International Affairs at Wake Forest University, and Caryl Phillips, who has taught at various universities and is known for exploring the world and writing about the experiences of peoples of the African diaspora. Additionally, the Summit will include workshops, panel discussions, facilitated dialogues, a community dinner, and the “Somewhere Between” Photo Project sponsored by the Samek Art Museum, which will feature the work of Simryn Gill, a multimedia artist specializing in sculpture, drawing, photography, and writing.

The Diversity Summit was planned and implemented by Diversity & Inclusion Fellow Carmen Henne-Ochoa, Associate Dean of Faculty Linden Lewis, and Associate Professor of Political Science and Diversity & Inclusion Faculty Fellow Atiya Stokes-Brown. Boasting the theme “Identity, Inclusion & Social Transformation: Centering Race, Power and Privilege,” the Summit seeks to provide “opportunities for the campus community to develop and strengthen knowledge, skills and habits of mind necessary for meaningful, productive anti-racist work on campus and beyond.”

New diversity & inclusion awards partner with longstanding Burma-Bucknell recognition

This year, the President’s Diversity Council implemented the President’s Diversity & Inclusion Award, designed to recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the University’s mission—to establish and cultivate a more inclusive campus community that embraces and respects diversity of all forms.

Additionally, the Burma-Bucknell Award recognizes organizations or individuals who have made significant contributions to intercultural and international understanding on campus. The President of Myanmar (the territory was previously called Burma) presented the University with the original bowl in 1958 as a symbol of the historic partnership between the academic institution and the nation of Burma.

Recipients include individuals who have significantly supported the University’s Five-Year Diversity Plan. This means contributing to more diverse education practices, widening student and faculty demographics, climate and culture, and building a means of assessment for efforts that have been made so far in creating a more diverse and inclusive campus.

Recipients of the Burma-Bucknell Award have devoted a great deal of time and energy to fostering a welcoming campus climate that also engages students in international and intercultural education.

“I say it is unique because the other awards are new, while the Burma-Bucknell award is longstanding. It is our hope that by adding the new President’s Diversity & Inclusion Awards this year, the campus is broadly recognizing and showcasing commitment to diversity efforts, including international and intercultural work,” Director of International Student Services Jennifer Figueroa said.

Nominees for both awards include faculty members, staff members, students, offices or programs, student organizations, as well as collaborative initiatives. This year’s presentation will take place on April 4 at 4:15 p.m. in Larison Dining Hall.