Spring is here and like many of you, we are looking forward to longer days and hopefully a bit more sunshine. As a new season and new quarter begin, it offers a great opportunity to connect with our alumni and friends. In addition to informing you about upcoming events, we are pleased to share the most recent news relating to OMA&D programs, faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
The 41st Annual Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Celebration, Fête and Honors will be held Thursday, May 5, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the Seattle waterfront. This special evening honors the outstanding accomplishments of our EOP student scholars and recognizes the 2011 recipient of the Charles E. Odegaard Award, Assunta Ng. Thanks to the generosity of our presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo, all funds raised at the event directly benefit student scholarships. Be sure to register early for this signature event.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Luis Fraga, associate vice provost for Faculty Advancement, Russell F. Stark University Professor, director of the Diversity Research Institute and professor of political science, has been selected to deliver OMA&D’s seventh annual Samuel E. Kelly Distinguished Faculty Lecture on Thursday, April 7, at the Jones Playhouse. Dr. Fraga’s lecture is titled “Change and Continuity: Latinos in the Future of America.” A reception for Dr. Fraga will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.
This issue of eNews features the 2009-2010 OMA&D Annual Report which is now available online and highlights the ways in which OMA&D leads the UW’s diversity efforts and engages the community. We also share an exciting update on the Intellectual House, including the facility’s new name, 
, and the $5 million pledge in matching gift funds from the UW to support its construction.
In other news related to building projects, the Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) officially closed its doors in December to prepare for the 14-month long renovation. During the construction, ECC offices are being housed in Condon Hall. In recent months, there have been a number of conversations about the preservation of the historic murals within the ECC. We greatly value the input we have received and discussions continue about how the murals will be represented in the new building.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the coming months. Your generosity makes it possible for OMA&D to provide educational opportunity and access for students. In the current economic climate, scholarship support is more important than ever and we are grateful to those who give to our programs.
We welcome your input so please remember to stay in touch and share your newsworthy items with us as well.
Sincerely,
Sheila Edwards Lange
Vice President for Minority Affairs
Vice Provost for Diversity