Tag: diversity and inclusion

Clemson University invites you to attend the 38^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The theme for this year’s celebration is 2020 Vision: Looking Back, Moving Forward.  First organized at the University in 1982, the MLK celebration includes a variety of programs for the campus and the community to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and its application in our society today.

There will be a blood drive on Jan. 20 from 11 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Hendrix Meeting Rooms A & B.

On Jan. 21, a commemorative service will be held with a keynote speech delivered by President Emerita of Johnson C. Smith University and Shaw University Dorothy Yancy.  The service will be at 6 p.m. in the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. It is free to the public.

On Jan. 23, the Tunnel of Oppression will be open from noon to 6 p.m. in Hendrix Ballrooms A & B. The Tunnel of Oppression is a simulated depiction of real-life scenarios relating to issues of oppression faced by marginalized communities. The depictions are acted out by members of the campus community. Scripts are submitted for the event and the winners who are selected will win a monetary award.

Volunteers are needed to serve in a variety of roles for the Tunnel of Oppression. To volunteer, sign up here.

Refer to the 2020 MLK Celebration page for additional updates and information.

By Taylor Summey, Class of 2020

Clemson home games aren’t just an opportunity to tailgate and support the football team. They are also a chance to pay tribute to those who make the university the incredible place that it is. This weekend, Lesly Temesvari and Curtis White were honored at Memorial Stadium as part of the Professor of the Game and Staff Member of the Game program, created by President Jim Clements in 2014 as a way to honor faculty and staff.

Temesvari, an alumni distinguished professor of biological sciences, has been at Clemson for 19 years. She researches pathogens that cause deadly infectious diseases, such as the parasite that causes dysentery. Currently, she is studying the properties of this parasite as well as its weaknesses, which is knowledge that may lead to vaccinations or life-saving drug treatments in the future. Temesvari is also part of a team of researchers that founded the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center, which has received more than $20 million in external grant funding, including $10.5 million in funding that she secured for the Center. On Saturday, she was accompanied onto the field by her husband, Karl Franek, Ph.D.

When asked about the importance of recognizing faculty and staff during football games, she explained that “it’s important to showcase the academic side of Clemson to the fans.”

“At the stadium during a game, the administration has the opportunity to showcase the work that faculty and staff are doing to an audience of [more than] 80,000 people,” she said. “This, in turn, enhances the reputation of the university.”

White agreed with her, explaining that Clemson works as a team.  “You have to have everybody as part of a team to make it all work,” he said. “That includes the faculty and staff.”

A Clemson alumnus, White is the faculty professional development and diversity coordinator for the Office of Inclusion and Equity. He is a retired faculty member – before his current position, he researched student learning styles and taught agricultural education at Clemson for 21 years. Currently, he leads efforts to recruit and retain faculty members from diverse backgrounds and coordinates professional development programs for faculty. He also coordinates the Pathfinder program, which gives minority doctoral and postdoctoral students from across the country the opportunity to learn about life as a Clemson faculty member. White’s wife, Eartha, accompanied him onto the field as he received his recognition.

Both honorees enjoyed their experiences immensely. White said that he felt “fantastic” the day of the game and that his wife, who accompanied him onto the field, was “mesmeriz[ed]” by the experience. Temesvari said that she felt “awestruck” by being on the field.  She explained that, in comparison to sitting in the stands, standing on the field made it feel smaller.

While the field may seem small when standing on it, the honor that White, Temesvari and every prior participant of the program have experienced is massive. By highlighting the contributions of faculty and staff, the program brings attention to the individuals who make Clemson University an incredible place to study and work.

Clemson University President James P. Clements today announced the appointment of a Diversity Advisory Council to provide strategic guidance to the president, chief diversity officer and other administrators and help set priorities on diversity initiatives.

Members, and their respective constituent groups, include:

• Roy Jones, Ph.D., President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff;
• Tina White, Staff Senate and Commission on the Status of Women;
• Blair Durkee, LGBTQ Task Force;
• Reginald Hawthorne, Campus Climate Task Force;
• Alondra DeSantiago, Latino Task Force;
• Vincent Hsu, Council on Diversity Affairs;
• A.D. Carson, Black Graduate Student Association;
• Amith Maroli, International Student Association;
• Racquel Collier, Black Student Union;
• Josh Bell, Alumni Association;
• Sam Wigley, Student Veterans Association;
• Joe Holloway, Campus Ministers;
• Stephanie Ellison, Department of Athletics;
• Jim McCubbin, Ph.D., Faculty Senate;
• Jeremy King, Ph.D., Presidential Faculty Fellow;
• Sharon Nagy, Ph.D., vice provost for Global Engagement;
• Margaret Camp, director of Student Disability Services.

The council will play a key advisory role in developing a comprehensive diversity plan for the university. Interim Chief Diversity Officer Max Allen will chair the council and he will continue to serve as an ex-officio member on an ongoing basis. Other ex-officio members are Almeda Jacks, vice president for Student Affairs, and Leslie Doss of the Office of Diversity.

Earlier this year, Clements announced the creation of the Diversity Advisory Council, which would be comprised of a broad-based of constituents to collaborate, prioritize and make recommendations on issues, ideas and concerns regarding diversity and inclusive excellence at Clemson.

“I want to thank these individuals for agreeing to serve Clemson University in this capacity,” Clements said. “Their work will make a positive difference for our students, faculty, staff and alumni — now and in the future.”

Leadership for diversity and inclusive excellence initiatives is the focus of an announcement made today (Aug. 24) by Clemson University President James P. Clements.

Effectively immediately, Chief of Staff Max Allen will take on additional responsibilities as interim chief diversity officer (CDO) while a national search for a permanent CDO to replace Leon Wiles, who retired earlier this summer, continues.

“Max is a tremendous leader and a highly capable administrator who will bring stability and progressive leadership to our diversity efforts during this period of transition,” Clements said. “It’s important that our diversity and inclusive excellence initiatives continue to move forward in a strategic way. It is my strong desire for this effort to be directly connected to the president’s office as we develop a comprehensive plan to enhance inclusion throughout the campus.”

Clemson University is committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty, staff, students and the administration, while increasing our efforts to promote cultural awareness and ensuring that all members of the Clemson family are respected, appreciated and valued. An assessment of all existing diversity initiatives is underway to enhance coordination and effectiveness at the university. A Diversity Advisory Council that will advise President Clements on various diversity efforts will be announced soon.