Dear Alumni and Friends,
It is very fitting that at a time when civil rights is again at the forefront of our nation’s history we were able to recently welcome one of the leading voices for social justice to our campus. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was in Seattle last month to speak with technology companies about the importance of diversity in their workforce, and we were honored to have him share the same message with our community during a special event at Kane Hall.
The UW is passionate about preparing our diverse students for degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D), we offer several programs to support the recruitment, retention and academic support of these students and collaborate with schools and colleges across campus to help create a diverse pipeline into these fields. It is a mission we share with the Rev. Jackson and look forward to continuing this important work.
In his remarks, Rev. Jackson also touched on the recent events surrounding the grand jury decision in the police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. He encouraged us to “keep marching,” but in a non-violent way. Later that week, OMA&D’s Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center hosted a Conversation Circle to provide a safe space for students and other members of the UW community to engage in an open dialogue about these issues. It was encouraging to see the hope and healing that emerged from these discussions. Last Friday, we collaborated with the Office of the Provost and various faculty members to hold a Teach-In at the Husky Union Building. It is our goal to continue to offer these opportunities for our community to engage with one another as we move forward.
The 2014-15 academic year is unique in that we are bidding farewell to four of our leaders. Enrique Morales, Emile Pitre, Karlotta Rosebaugh and Betty Schmitz and have recently retired or will do so soon. Together they have combined for over 80 years of service to OMA&D. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions and are proud to honor their accomplishments in this issue of eNews.
As we turn the corner into 2015, we are that much closer to the grand opening of our new longhouse-style facility, wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ-Intellectual House. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and housewarming will take place in conjunction with this year’s Tribal Leadership Summit on March 12. Keep your eye out for more information about this historic occasion.
Be sure to also save the date for the 45th annual Celebration, Fête and Honors presented by OMA&D and the Friends of the Educational Opportunity Program on May 7. At Celebration we honor the excellence of EOP students, recognize recipient of the Charles E. Odegaard Award and raise funds for student scholarships. We look forward to seeing many of you there.
In each issue of eNews we take time to acknowledge friends and alumni we have recently lost. Sadly, we mourn the passing of one of our colleagues, Andy Pascua, who died unexpectedly Nov. 5. Andy was an assistant director for GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) and worked out of the program’s Toppenish office in Eastern Washington. He was a part of the OMA&D family for nearly 10 years and made outstanding contributions to promoting student access. He was passionate about youth and held a joyful approach to his work. Andy’s family and our GEAR UP colleagues remain in our thoughts during this difficult time.
I invite you to take a look at the other articles in this edition of eNews to learn more about what is happening in OMA&D. We continue to be grateful for the generosity of you, our alumni and friends, who make it possible for us to provide boundless opportunities and access for students.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2015.
Sincerely,
Sheila Edwards Lange
Vice President for Minority Affairs
Vice Provost for Diversity