Kennesaw State celebrates diversity on campus‚ in community
Diversity‚ both on campus and in the community‚ was the focal point for a pair of…
Georgia (May 1, 2003) — Kennesaw State celebrates diversity on campus‚ in community
Rick Woodall
Abstract
Diversity‚ both on campus and in the community‚ was the focal point for a pair of
recent events featuring representatives of Kennesaw State University.
Friday and Saturday‚ April 25−26‚ Kennesaw State hosted the first of its kind conference‚
"Stepping Up to the Plate in Diversity Education‚" at the Marriott Northwest Hotel
in Atlanta. Educators from a number of local‚ regional and national institutions took
part in the two−day symposium‚ which served as a showcase for best practices in diversity
and learning in higher education. The sessions were designed to appeal to faculty
and administrators from all disciplines who are involved in general education and
major program curricula‚ as well as administrators in other campus offices whose responsibilities
include the creation of a positive campus climate.
"Our university vision for diversity requires that we educate our students to be productive
global citizens‚ and after 9−11 and the war in Iraq‚ it is even more important‚" said
Dr. Val Whittlesey‚ KSU's assistant vice president for academic affairs and conference
co−chair along with Dr. Flora Devine. "The conference is part of the process of exploring
how we can enhance the KSU undergraduate curriculum to include more multicultural
perspectives."
Over the past decade‚ colleges and universities across the country have begun to diversify
their curricula to better prepare students to live and work in an increasingly complex
world. Some of those institutions‚ such as Kent State University‚ Oregon State University‚
Meredith College and Georgia's own Gainesville College‚ were in attendance. Also taking
part were representatives of Spelman College‚ Georgia State University‚ the University
System of Georgia Board of Regents and Emory University‚ among others.
"Diversity‚" Devine explained‚ "is at the heart of the academy's purpose −− that is‚
advancing knowledge and raising ethical and societal questions about how to apply
that knowledge. That is what education for the 21st century is all about."
While the conference was a first of its kind endeavor‚ Sunday's "Celebration of Commitment"
marked the 18th year of partnership between Cobb County's largest institution of higher
learning and Zion Baptist Church in Marietta. The theme for the April 27 program −−
featuring a keynote address by KSU communication major Carla Barrows −− was "With
Faith All Things Are Possible." The annual celebration signifies the uniting of Kennesaw
State University with the local African−American community in a sincere effort to
make KSU a haven for all of the diverse peoples who inhabit Cobb and other surrounding
counties.
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 15‚600 from 118 countries. The fifth largest out of 34 institutions
in the University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers 55 undergraduate and graduate degree
programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
