Diversity Initiatives - 2006

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Videos and Exhibits

November:

There Goes the Neighborhood
November 14

Distinguished Lecture Series presents a talk by Dr. William Julius Wilson (Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University) on “There Goes the Neighborhood: Racial, Ethnic, and Class Tensions in Four Chicago Neighborhoods and their Meaning for American” The talk will be held on November 14 at 7:30 PM at the Auditorium at Annenberg Presidential Conference Center, Texas A&M University. Lecture: “Chick Lit and Chick Culture” November 8 Dr. Mallory Young, Professor of French and English at Tarleton State University and co-editor of “Chick Lit: The New Woman’s Literature”, will give a lecture at 7:00 PM at the Forsyth Galleries. Sponsored by the Women’s & Gender Equity Resource Center and co-sponsored by the Department of English and Women’s Studies Program.

Role of Religion in Everyday Life
November 6

Dr. Daniel Bornstein, Professor, Department of History will be presenting on “Role of Religion in Everyday Life” at the Department of Anthropology Brown Bag Speaker Series. The talk will be held from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in room 214 at the Department of Anthropology.

First Friday Lecture Series
November 3

Ms. Dienitha Fontenot, Director of Texas A&M Children’s Center, will present the next 2006 First Friday Lecture Series at Texas A&M University. Ms. Fontenot's lecture is titled "When it comes to diversity within a classroom, is a multicultural curriculum enough?" The presentation will be held from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at 301 Rudder at Texas A&M University. The First Friday Lecture Series is a program of the African American Professional Organization sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is held the first Friday of each month.

October:

“Silent Witness" Display During October

A “Silent Witness” display of 17 figures created to represent the college aged individuals who have been killed by domestic violence in both the Brazos Valley and the State of Texas will be located in the MSC through the month of October. Each of the life-sized, wooden figures bears the name of a victim and a summary of their death. The Silent Witness National Initiative started in 1990, when a group of women artists and writers, upset about the growing number of women being murdered by their partners or acquaintances, decided to take action. The women decided to create free-standing, life-sized red wooden figures, each one bearing the name of a woman who once lived, worked, had neighbors, friends, family, children and whose life ended violently.

Texas Higher Education Diversity Council Luncheon
October 26

Dr. Robert Gates, President, Texas A&M University will be delivering a lecture on "The Diversity Challenge" at the Texas Diversity Council’s Diversity Luncheon 2006. Texas A&M University is a member institution of the Texas Diversity Council. For more information, go to www.texasdiversitycouncil.org. Venue: Karen Wagner High School, Judson ISD, 3000 N. Foster Road, San Antonio, Texas 78244. Time: 10:50 AM - 11:50 AM (VIP Reception), 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Luncheon).

Global Leadership Institute: Session II: Does Gender Matter?
October 21

The session will be held with opening panelists Dr. Nandini Bhattacharya, Associate Professor, Department of English; Dr. Kimberly Brown, Associate Professor, Department of English, Dr. Pamela Matthews, Associate Dean, Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Programs and Associate Professor, Department of English; and Dr. Linda Skrla, Professor, Educational Administration and Human Resource Development Department and Associate Dean for Research and P-16 Initiatives. Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM in Rudder 601. Visit http://diversity.tamu.edu/global-leadership/programs.asp for more information.

U-Act diveRSEstories
October 11

diveRSEstories is a collection of short-stories, poems and spoken word presented by U-Act facilitators. Many of these pieces have been written by U-Act facilitators for this event. Questions and answers will followed with a light reception. Time: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM in Rudder 507. For more information, please visit http://uact.tamu.edu.

Coming Out Week
October 11

Every October 11, thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies celebrate National Coming Out Day. The Texas A&M LGBT community and Allies use the week surrounding October 11 as a focused time to promote awareness and understanding of LGBT issues and LGBT people in the Texas A&M community. For more information, please click http://www.tamu.edu/women_genderequity/Educational%20Programs/COW.html

A CommUNITY Conversation
October 9

“Competing Oppressions or Possible Collaboration?” A discussion about the relations between the African American & Hispanic Communities will be held with the participation of Professors Rogelio Sáenz, Wendy Moore, and Fred Bonner. Time: 1:00 PM. Venue: Evans Library Room 106. This event is sponsored by the Department of Multicultural Services and the Division of Student Affairs.

Student Organizations Volunteer Supports Third Annual Buddy Walk
October 8

Several Texas A&M University student organizations have partnered with the Down Syndrome Support Group of Bryan-College Station for the Third Annual Buddy Walk, a national event designed to increase awareness and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The Buddy Walk will take place at noon on Sunday at College Station Central Park. Free shuttle service will be provided from post oak mall to central park. At least 65 members of Project Sunshine, a Texas A&M student organization that provides free services and hosts activities for children with special needs, have volunteered to attend the Buddy Walk to assist with everything from setup to registrations, and also to walk with kids who have Down syndrome. For more information: http://www.downsyndromeofbcs.com/.

Guantánamo: How Should We Respond?
October 6

"Guantánamo: How Should We Respond?" is a national teach-in and conference that will explore the Government's detention policy in the "war on terror." We will watch video streams of panels from the national Guantánamo conference intermixed with local readings and conversations. Everyone is welcome. This will be an informal come-and-go event. Time: 4 PM – 10 PM. Venue: Blocker 202, Texas A&M University.

Domestic Violence Candle Light Vigil
October 5

Time: 7:00pm, Venue: Pebble Creek Country Club

Silent Witness and Clothesline Display
October 2 – 6

In 2002, more than 100 women were murdered in Texas as a result of domestic violence. Of the 117 cases, one reported case happened in the Bryan-College Station area and over fifteen were within 50 miles of Brazos County. In the spring of 2004, 17 Silent Witness figures were created to represent the college aged individuals who have been killed by domestic violence in both the Brazos Valley and the State of Texas. Each of the life-sized, wooden figures bears the name of a victim and a summary of their death will be on display in the MSC, Texas A&M University. For detailed information, please click: http://www.tamu.edu/women_genderequity/Educational%20Programs/Clothesline.html

September:

The Immigrants Right Movement by Jesse Diaz, Jr.
September 29

Jesse Diaz, Jr., a graduate student in the Department of Sociology at the University of California-Riverside, was one of the most prominent leaders in organizing the highly successful immigrant rights marches in LA in April and May. Time: 2:30PM. Venue: Evans 204E Conference Room.

Global Leadership Institute: Session I: Racial Issues in the 21st Century
September 17

The Global Leadership Institute provides a forum for students to learn how to participate and lead in our global society in a small, fun learning environment. In the first session, participants will explore racial issues and concerns in the United States. Dr. Joe Feagin will deliver the keynote lecture for this session. Time: 1:00PM – 6:00PM. Venue: MSC 224. For more information, please click: http://diversity.tamu.edu/global-leadership/programs.asp.

April:

Holocaust Remembrance Day April 23 Today Texas A&M joins the nation in marking Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event is sponsored by the Texas A&M Campus Ministerial Association. Included in the day's activities is the reading, at Ruder Fountain, of names of Holocaust victims. At 7 PM. an interfaith service will be held at All Faiths chapel.

Gender and Latina Discourse Symposium
April 21

A One Day Interdisciplinary Symposium on "Exploring How US Latinas Negotiate Issues of Gender and Ethnicity in a Wide Range of Discourse Genres," sponsored by the Discourse Studies Program, will be held from 9 AM to 4 PM today in the Mayo Room in the Cushing Library. A reception will follow in the Stark Galleries. Admission is free and it is open to the public.

International Storyteller Diane Ferlatte visit to Campus
April 18-19

International multicultural folk storyteller and musician Diane Ferlatte will perform at Texas A&M University. Using song, sign language and music in her stories, Ferlatte and fellow musician Erik Pearson preserve the history of folk music, storytelling and cultural values. Ferlatte's visit is sponsored by the TLAC Transfer Learning Communities Grant, the Multicultural Storytelling Project of the Texas A&M libraries, the Aggie Storytelling Association and the Brazos Valley Children's Museum Storytelling Guild. Ferlatte and Pearson will have their first performance at 7 PM on April 18, in MSC 292. The following day the duo will perform in room 204E of Evans Library at 1 PM and again at 7 PM.

International Excellence Awards Ceremony
April 13

The International Programs Office has announced the 2006 International Excellence Award individual recipients are Andrew Chan, Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Dwight Look College of Engineering; Jeremy Wasser, Associate Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Terry Lovell Spang, Assistant Provost for Finance and Administration; and Luke Altendorf, Interim Director of the Memorial Student Center. The team award goes to four organizations: the Student Government Association, International Student Association, Graduate Student Council and the International Graduate Student Association whose leadership developed a Task Force that catalyzed and stimulated a great deal of change on campus and in the community to increase the safety of international students and provide a more welcoming environment.

Human Trafficking Forum Scheduled for Wednesday
April 12

Aggie International Ambassadors will host a panel discussion on sex slavery and human trafficking featuring Charles A. Ray, former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and Diplomat in Residence at the University of Houston, Mexican Consul Adolfo Ayuso and Indonesian Head of Cultural Affairs Consul Rusman Utomo. The discussion is planned for 7 PM in MSC 201. Brenda Bethman, director of the Women's and Gender Equity Resource Center, will open the forum, followed by remarks from each of the delegates. An audience question and answer session will follow the remarks.

Ambassador from Ecuador to Visit Texas A&M
April 10 & 11

Luis Benigno Gallegos Chiriboga, Ambassador to the United States from Ecuador, and his wife Fabiola Jaramillo de Gallegos will be at Texas A&M on Monday and Tuesday, (April 10 & 11). He will speak at 1:50 PM in room 106 of the Psychology Building on Monday. The topic of his discussion is "Gateway 2000: Opening of the Common Market in Latin America and the Impact of Change in Currency to Dollars in Ecuador." He will speak again on Tuesday at 4:30 PM in room 1110 of the Allen Building sponsored by the Bush School of Government and Public Service. The topic of this lecture is a more general overview of U.S- Ecuador Relations. The lecture will be followed by a reception in the exhibit hall of the International Center located in the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at 5:30 PM.

Reservation Deadline for Women's Faculty Lunch
April 10

The Women's Faculty Network will host a "Spring Luncheon and Dialogue" with Texas A&M administration from 11:30 AM. - 1:30 PM in MSC 206. Special recognition will be extended to all newly tenured or promoted women faculty members followed by a Q&A session with guests. These include President Robert M. Gates, David B. Prior, Executive Vice President and Provost, and Karan L. Watson, Dean of Faculties and Associate Provost, Interim Vice President and Associate Provost for Institutional Assessment and Diversity. This event is open to everyone.

Asian Heritage Week
April 9

Asian Culture Showcase presents a Q&A Panel by Dat Nguyen at 6:00 PM at Rudder Plaza followed by Asian Aggie Nights sponsored by Whoopstock Festival 8:00 PM at MSC. For more information see: http://apcouncil.tamu.edu/

Whoopstock Unity Festival
April 8

The annual Whoopstock Unity Festival will be part of the Parent's Weekend festivities. The festival will be from 10 AM to 2 PM in the Aggie Fan Zone. It will include food, fun, games, entertainment, and educational activities for the whole family to enjoy. Organizers say the annual festival helps celebrate the unity among all cultures on campus and in the Brazos Valley community in a relaxing, festive environment. Admission is free, as is parking on West Campus. For more information, go to: http://whoopstock.tamu.edu.

Bessler Receives Award of Excellence for Faculty Service to International Students
April 6

David A. Bessler, Professor of Agricultural Economics, received the first "Presidential Award of Excellence for Faculty Service to International Students" at the Texas A&M University International Board's spring meeting today. J. Lawrence Mitchell, Professor of English, and N.K. Anand, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, were also given special recognition for their longstanding service to international students. Bessler will receive a check in the amount of $2,000 and will have the privilege to serve as "an agent for change" by having the authority to designate an additional $1,000 cash award to a departmental, college or university effort/activity that facilitates international student integration into the fabric of the campus or local community.

Latina Theater Group Performance
April 1

Teatro Luna, an innovative Chicago-based Latina theatre troupe, will present a performance titled "S-E-X-oh!" at 7:30 PM in Rudder Forum at Texas A&M University. Billed by its presenters as "a provocative and humorous exploration of identity, gender and culture," this event is sponsored by the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research in conjunction with its conference, "A Thousand Words: Visual Culture and the Humanities." Additional funding has been provided by the Office of the Dean of Faculties, the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Performance Studies, the Department of Hispanic Studies, the Women's Studies Program, the Women's and Gender Equity Resource Center and the GBTL Professional Network. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

March/April:

Texas A&M Students Can Attend Lone Star Colloquium at No Cost
March 31 and April 1

Texas A&M University's Office of Graduate Studies has announced a reimbursement of registration fees for Texas A&M students who attend the Lone Star Graduate Diversity Colloquium on March 31 and April 1. The colloquium, hosted by Texas A&M, will provide participants an opportunity to learn more about graduate school options across the State. Undergraduate and master's students from colleges and universities throughout Texas will join Aggies on campus for the two-day event - the first of its kind - to gain tips and assistance on improving their chances of being admitted to graduate school. The colloquium is aimed at students who have a stated interest in going to graduate school, will be entering graduate school in fall 2007 or later (primarily sophomores, juniors and masters students), will bring diversity to Texas' graduate school population (minorities, females in traditionally male fields, etc.), and/or have a 3.0 or better GPA. The Lone Star Graduate Diversity Colloquium is hosted at Texas Tech this year.

Student Conference on Latino Affairs Planned for this Weekend
March 31-April 1

MSC Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture (CAMAC) is hosting the 18th annual Student Conference on Latino Affairs (SCOLA) Friday and Saturday (March 31-April 1). The purpose of SCOLA is to create a platform in which students from diverse backgrounds are able to unite and discuss issues facing the Latino population as well as to promote methods of empowerment. The topics of discussion will be centered around the theme: "Mapping the Road to Success Through: Networking, Public Speaking, Leadership and Professionalism." This year's conference keynote speakers are Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and Marion Luna Brem, recognized as one of the top business women in the world. The conference will also include professional workshops, speakers on Latinos in the media, student-base civil rights issues, and community service, as well as an etiquette lunch. The registration fee is $50 for Texas A&M students and $65 for non-students. For more information on the conference or registration, visit http://scola.tamu.edu.

Ehud Barak, Anthony Lake and Steve Chapman to Speak at Wiley Lecture
March 31 – April 1

MSC Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture (CAMAC) is hosting the 18th annual Student Conference on Latino Affairs (SCOLA). The purpose of SCOLA is to create a platform in which students from diverse backgrounds are able to unite and discuss issues facing the Latino population as well as to promote methods of empowerment. The topics of discussion will be centered around the theme: "Mapping the Road to Success Through: Networking, Public Speaking, Leadership and Professionalism." This year's conference keynote speakers are Senator Gonzalo Barrientos and Marion Luna Brem, recognized as one of the top business women in the world. The conference will also include professional workshops, speakers on Latinos in the media, student-base civil rights issues, and community service, as well as an etiquette lunch. The registration fee is $50 for Texas A&M students and $65 for non-students. For more information on the conference or registration, visit http://scola.tamu.edu.

March:

Fernando Gonz lez Moreno to Lecture on Don Quixote
March 29

Fernando Gonz lez Moreno, visiting scholar and the current University of Castilla-La Mancha Cervantes Chair Research Fellow, will give a lecture titled "Don Quixote: An Allegorical and Emblematic Reading" at 3 PM in the Mayo-Thomas Room of Cushing Memorial Library and Archives. Moreno received his Ph.D. in art history from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and is the author of "El Quijote de las luces: Ilustraciones para la edici¢n de la Imprenta Real, 1797-1798" (2004) as well as several articles and book chapters. While at Texas A&M, Moreno has worked closely with the Eduardo Urbina Cervantes Project Collection in Cushing and his lecture will draw upon this research. Open to the public, this lecture is co-sponsored by the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research, the Department of Hispanic Studies, and the Cervantes Project. For more information about the lecture or about Cushing Library, contact Chris Morrow at 979-845-1951 or c-morrow@tamu.edu.

Influential African-American Artist Visits Campus
March 23

Margaret Burroughs, renowned African-American artist, educator and humanitarian, will visit Texas A&M University today. The public is invited to attend a reception in her honor at 2:30 PM in Harrington Tower, Room 301. Earlier, she will speak to the Lohman Learning Communities in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture, but that talk is restricted to students in the Lohman Learning Community. Burroughs earned her elementary teacher's certificate in 1937 from Chicago Normal College and a B.A. and M.A. in art education in 1946 and 1948, respectively. At age 22, she made the first of her many contributions to African-American arts and culture when she founded the South Side Community Arts Center, a community organization that serves as a gallery and workshop studio for artists and students. Burroughs continues to serve on the center's board, which remains active more than sixty years after its formation.

Dr. Gong Hui’s Lecture on China's Higher Education System
March 21

Dr. Gong Hui, Dean of Student Affairs at Jiaotong University in Xi'an, China's second most prestigious university, will deliver a lecture on the Draconian challenges facing China's giant higher education system at 7:30 PM in the Forsythe Center Galleries. Gong is country director for the Texas A&M University’s ILAP program in China. His talk is sponsored by the L.T. Jordan Institute for International Awareness.

February:

MSC CAMAC Presents 12th Annual Southwest Student Conference on Latino Affairs
February 5-6

Texas A&M University's Committee for Awareness of Mexican American Culture (CAMAC) will host its 12th annual Southwest Student Conference on Latino Affairs. This year's theme, "Latinos: Shaping the Next Millennium," will feature such topics as bilingual education, Latino Greeks, White House policy issues as they impact Latinos and urban legends. The CAMAC Conference will open with keynote speaker Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo-Kickbush. The motivational speaker retired from the military as the highest ranked Latina woman. The conference will close with a keynote address by Dr. Juan Andrade, president and co-founder of the US Hispanic Leadership Institute. Expected attendance for the conference is approximately 300, with participants from both high schools and colleges. Prior to February1, registration for students is $35 and $55 for non-students. After Feb.1, the fee will be $40 for students and $60 for non-students. For further information, please contact Angie with MSC CAMAC at 845-1515.