Diversity Week 2005 runs Feb. 6 through Feb. 12

RELEASED: Jan. 27, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—What began as a weekend has turned into a weeklong celebration of diversity.

For the first time, this year's Diversity Days at Centre College will expand to become Diversity Week, six days of entertainment, discussion and diversity-based activities. The change will complement and build upon the success of the Admission Office's weekend event for prospective students held annually since 2002.

The Diversity Student Union (DSU) spearheaded the expansion of diversity activities to the weeklong format. "Diversity Days has become a larger event year after year," says Danville senior Justin Atkins of the DSU. "The College is putting forth great effort in bringing in more students of diverse backgrounds. The minority population has increased every year that I have been attending Centre."

One of the innovative events the DSU plans to stage is "Mix it Up Day" on Tuesday in Cowan Dining Commons. "Those who participate will randomly be placed at a table with other students," says Owensboro sophomore Renee November, who says she hopes the event will "help initiate conversations between students who might not have otherwise talked to each other."

The entertainment highlight of the week will come when nationally known comedian Eliot Chang takes the stage at Weisiger Hall at 8 p.m. Friday. Chang, who has appeared on Comedy Central's Premium Blend and NBC's Law & Order: SUV, will perform a routine on "Asians in the Media," and will stage a workshop after his show.

The core of the week's activities remains the Admission Office's Diversity Days, which offer prospective students of color a chance to come to campus for an enhanced visit. The prospective students arrive Thursday evening and spend time with current students; meet teachers, coaches and counselors; and attend a series of events, including a dinner Friday evening with Dean of Admission Carey Thompson and Centre President John Roush.

On Saturday, the Admission Office hosts a diversity roundtable on the topic of "building an inclusive community" at Young Hall. The various breakout sessions, hosted by Dean of Students Randy Hays and professors Beau Weston and David Hall, will address such questions as: What does diversity mean? What does multi-culturalism mean? What are the benefits and challenges of making Centre a more open and diverse community?

"I'm particularly excited this year's program will include the roundtable discussion," says Ned Frazer, assistant director of admission. "I'm hopeful it will prove not only a useful tool for our prospective students, but will also be a good experience for the broader Centre Community as we continue to intensify our campus-wide commitment to diversity and multi-cultural issues."

In addition to the Admission Office and the DSU, a wide range of campus groups are involved in the planning and organization of the week's events, including the International Student Association, the Student Activities Council, the Dean's Office, the Centre Diversity Committee, the Student Life Office and the Office of Diversity.

"The weeklong event will provide campus-wide focus on the importance of diversity in our Centre community," says J.H. Atkins, assistant vice president and associate professor of education. "The student-sponsored events are open to everyone, and we encourage everyone—students, staff and faculty—to participate."

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.

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