University Professor Emeritus Dr. Edwin Coleman has made recognizing diversity a lifelong journey.
Keeping in step with Coleman’s path, the University Multicultural Center is highlighting ethnicity with the fifth annual Dr. Coleman Speaker Series in the veteran educator’s honor. The series will be staged in the EMU today, Wednesday and Thursday.
“Everybody knows he’s paved the way for other African American students for leadership positions,” Black Student Union Co-Director Haben Woldu said.
The conference recognizes Coleman for his leadership as well as his other contributions. An accomplished jazz musician, Coleman is also a scholar and the author of “Black Rage, Black Identity,” “Thems that Got: The Art of Billie Holliday” and “Black Literature for Teachers.”
“From students to faculty members – unsolicited by him – it is a pure and simple adoration to him makes this unique,” Program Coordinator for the Office of Multicultural Affairs Lyllye Parker said.
Parker thinks Coleman’s dedication to well-rounded, ongoing learning is being mirrored in the week’s events.
“He was looking at the continuing education of the community,” she said. “We do it on a daily basis on the issues that impact students-of-color organizations and it gives exposure to voices we’re not used to hearing,” she said about the event.
MCC Programs Adviser Steve Morozumi said in addition to the ongoing theme of promoting social justice and equality, this year’s conference is focused on reinspiring activism after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The international showcase kicks off 6 p.m. today in the EMU International Student Lounge with an activist panel on social justice matters. Sociology Professor Chuck Hunt and members of cultural organizations are leading the discussion.
The local panel is being followed by a more global presentation. International author and filmmaker Guillermo Gomez-Pena will present a diorama about the role of globalization in society at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the EMU Gumwood Room.
The long-term planning behind the events and Coleman’s visibility on campus often draws a larger crowd for this series than some other cultural activities.
“Dr. Coleman has the ability to get students from aspects of the student community that others don’t reach,” ASUO President Nilda Brooklyn said.
Brooklyn said from her experiences in past years, the program’s reputation has a “pulling power” to entice more nationally recognized speakers, thus drawing in more students with the bigger-name speakers.
A thinning budget was one reason for this year’s slightly smaller program.
“We’ve been doing intensive programming all year, and had to stretch the money more,” Morozumi said.
Coleman is scheduled to speak in a more casual setting than in past years, at a reception in his honor at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Gumwood Room. Dessert and “finger food” will be served, and the Ed Coleman’s Trio and violinist Mzuri Robertson are slated to perform.
All conference events are free. For more information, contact the Multicultural Center at 346-4207 or vist www.dailyemerald.com.
E-mail Robin Weber at [email protected]
Series to honor professor, celebrate diversity
Daily Emerald
May 20, 2002
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