I want to express my appreciation to those who have been working diligently to develop programs on inclusion, including the IUP Diversity and Inclusion Symposium on April 26 at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.
The symposium will feature Peggy McIntosh, anti-racism activist and women's studies scholar, as keynote speaker. She will present “Coming to See Privilege Systems: The Surprising Journey” at 8:30 a.m. Following her talk will be a panel discussion, “Microaggressions and Macro Effects: Learning to Recognize, Interrupt, and Navigate Colorblind Racism,” featuring African American alumni spanning four decades at IUP. Lunch will include facilitated discussions, and the afternoon session will focus on the Pittsburgh-based Dignity and Respect Campaign. Please see the symposium schedule for further details. The symposium is free, but preregistration is requested and will guarantee your lunch.
In addition to the symposium, I encourage you to attend, as your schedules permit, other upcoming events planned around the theme of diversity and inclusion. They include tonight's screening and discussion of the film White like Me at 6:00 p.m., in Wallwork Hall, room G98; the QueerPosium, a celebration of research and creative works, April 15 at the Hadley Union Building; and a presentation by Marc Lamont Hill, television news host and commentator on race and politics, April 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the Kovalchick Complex's Toretti Auditorium. These are just a few of the events planned for the remainder of the semester; please visit the Diversity Events calendar for additional programming and information. I also ask that you mark your calendars for continued discussion of this important issue at the State System Summit, “Rising to the Challenge: Making Inclusion Matter,” planned for November 2–4 at IUP.
As you attend these events and talk with one another, I encourage you to be part of the social media discussion about our work at #IUPTogether.
Thank you for all of your good work. Best wishes for a productive and positive end to the semester.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Driscoll
President