West Virginia University’s Diversity Week 2013 will span cultures and experiences with highlights such as the 26th Annual Women of Color Luncheon, an Indian Tarang festival and a Native American Peace Tree Ceremony. The week’s events center around the theme “There’s a place for you at WVU” will be held Oct. 20-25. Faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community are welcome to attend.
Weekday events start with the Diversity Week Celebration Kick-off “There’s a place for you at WVU!” with Chief Diversity Officer David M. Fryson in the Mountainlair Food Court at 12:30 p.m Monday, Oct 21. Fryson will discuss Diversity at WVU. The Mountaineer Mascot will be on hand, the first 60 participants will receive Diversity Week bags, and cake will be available.
The community is asked to take part in the Diversity Week Challenge@WVU by attending the kickoff, as many events during the week as possible, learn something new and meet new friends, attend the Leaning in @WVU session, and spread the word of Diversity Events on Twitter.
The full schedule of events can be found here:
http://diversity.wvu.edu/schedule
One of the main goals of the weeklong event is to promote the different spectrums of diversity that are continuously growing on the WVU campus. It is structured to bring the campus together and share student differences and similarities through varying identities.
Leaning in @WVU, a presentation by Provost Michele Wheatly, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in the Gold Ballroom of the Mountainlair.
“Leaning in” is the new catch phrase coined by Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook. Come hear the Provost and other exceptional faculty members talk about what ‘leaning in’ has meant for them in their careers. Find out how ‘leaning in’ individually can benefit us collectively-making a better, stronger WVU.
The Women of Color Luncheon this year will feature Diane Lewis, president and CEO of Action Facilities Management and member of the WVU Board of Governors, with musical entertainment by the Jenny Wilson Trio.
The luncheon, sponsored by the WVU Council for Women’s Concerns in partnership with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will be held Oct. 23 at 11:30 a.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased online at https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1590590-Chun8opH7O
Please register by Friday, Oct. 18.
The week will begin Sunday, Oct. 20, with Tarang, sponsored by the Indian Students Association, which will feature a children’s dance at 1:30 p.m., Indian cuisine to be served from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and student performances to follow, all in the Mountainlair. The event is $12 for students with a valid WVU ID and $20 for the general public. Children under 5 are free.
The Speak Up (!) Diversity Poetry Reading will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Gold Ballroom of the Mountainlair. Participants will share their original poetry about their experiences, diversity and identity. To sign up beforehand, contact Melissa.Chesanko@mail.wvu.edu
Dean Jose V. “Zito” Sartarelli of the College of Business and Economics will discuss cultural diversity along with International programs staff. The “We’re One Global Family” event will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Rhododendron Room of the Mountainlair.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, at 11:30 a.m. a Peace Tree Ceremony with Klane King of the Blackfeet Nation, Blood Tribe, will be held at the Peace Tree between E. Moore and Martin halls across from the Mountainlair. In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the Vandalia Lounge.
Also on Oct. 24, “From Camouflage to Campus” will be held in the Mountainlair Ballrooms from 6-9 p.m. Veterans will discuss their transitions from the military to becoming a WVU Mountaineer. Lisa Rosser will give the keynote address on the value of our veterans. Professor Carolyn Atkins and veterans will share on military topics including the transition from military to college life. Refreshments will be provided. Veterans and their families are especially invited to attend.
The rest of the week will include dance performances, a poetry reading, discussions, presentations by international students, health and safety speakers and an international WVUp All Night.
Attendees with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Sharon Mallow at 304-288-2076 or email Sharon.Mallow@mail.wvu.edu
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dm/10/16/13
CONTACT: Trisha Gyurke, WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
304-293-5600, Trisha.Gyurke@mail.wvu.edu
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.