Jan. 30, 2009
Iowa State hosts Black History Month events
by Anne Kassel, News Service
The United States has recognized Black History Month each February since it was first observed in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration. Iowa State kicked off its annual observance of Black History Month with a Jan. 27 lecture from author Manning Marable, and will continue the celebration of African-American culture with these public events, all in the Memorial Union:
A Campus Conversation on Diversity (panel discussion)
Thursday, Jan. 29, noon, Pioneer Room
Join students, faculty and staff in a conversation about diversity on campus. Panelists will discuss their experiences in the classroom, workplace and in community life. The panel will be moderated by Barbara Woods, an extension specialist in family and consumer sciences, who was instrumental in organizing the broader Ames Community Conversations on Diversity.
Opera, A Dream Fulfilled: The Saga of George Washington Carver
Monday, Feb. 2, 8 p.m., Great Hall
Celebrate the life of agricultural pioneer and Iowa hero George Washington Carver with this OPERA Iowa performance. Carver was the university's first African-American student and faculty member. The opera focuses on key events that shaped the destiny of this great scientist, educator and humanitarian. Composed by Iowa's own Michael Patterson, A Dream Fulfilled was commissioned by the Des Moines Metro Opera in cooperation with the State Historical Society of Iowa.
Presentation, "Civility on Campus," Kathy Obear
Thursday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m., Sun Room
Obear is president of Alliance for Change and a founding faculty member of The Social Justice Training Institute. She worked in residence life at several universities before starting her consulting practice. Her presentation focuses on improving communication skills among students when different viewpoints are presented in the classroom. She works to create inclusive environments that influence the creativity, diversity and talent of all students.
Lecture, "Gender and Race in the 2008 Campaign," Mary Frances Berry
Tuesday, March 3, 8 p.m., Sun Room
Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of seven books, including The Pig Farmer's Daughter and Other Tales of American Justice: Episodes of Racism and Sexism in the Courts from 1865 to the Present. She previously was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. She also served as assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; as provost of the University of Maryland and chancellor of the University of Colorado, Boulder.
