Connecticut College to explore history and future of campus diversity with day-long conference
The Connecticut College community will gather for an in-depth look at the history and future of diversity at the College with a day-long conference, Saturday, April 2. "In Connecticut College's Centennial year, it is critically important that we explore the history of diversity and the celebration and struggle of difference at the College," said David Canton, director of the College's Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity, which is hosting the conference. "Understanding our history, we can make important decisions about our future."
The conference, which is free and open to the public, begins at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast and opening remarks in the College's Blaustein Humanities Center Ernst Common Room. The schedule of events includes a keynote speech, "Inclusive Excellence: Are We There Yet?" by Robert Hampton, vice president for academic affairs at American Intercontinental University, at noon. Hampton served as Connecticut College's dean of the college from 1987 through 1994. "Dr. Hampton was instrumental in leading efforts to diversify the Connecticut College community," Canton said. "He will provide important historical context as he discusses how far we have come and how much we still need to do."
Other events include an alumni panel discussion featuring Estella Johnson '75, Frank Tuitt '87 and Robin Wilson '82; a tribute to influential scientist and former Connecticut College dean, Jewel Plummer Cobb; talks by Charles Jones, associate professor and chair of African-American studies at George State University and president of the National Council for Black Students, and Arlene Davila, professor of anthropology and social and cultural analysis at New York University; and a Q&A with representatives from Connecticut College's Student Government Association Diversity Committee. All events take place in the Blaustein Humanities Center Ernst Common Room, with the exception of the keynote lecture, which will be in Blaustein Humanities Center Hood Dining Room. -CC-
March 14, 2011
