For the fifth annual reception of Weaving New Beginnings, which took place Tuesday evening in the EMU Ballroom, special recognition was given to those faculty and staff of color who have worked at the University for at least seven years.
The event included entertainment by invited guests and food. The reception, coordinated by ASUO Multicultural advocate Nilda Brooklyn, facilitated introductions and created conversation between various groups.
In the spring of 1996, representatives from the ASUO, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Counseling Center, Student Life, Housing, Academic Progress and the Race Task Force met to plan what later evolved into Weaving New Beginnings.
Every year the sponsors for the reception have grown in number to include student service departments, students unions, academic departments, student government and the general community.
“The purpose of the event is to welcome students, faculty and staff of color to our campus. This year we have chosen a number of people as faculty and staff who have been here seven years or longer,” said Gwen Jansen, an administrator in the Counseling Center.
Jansen has been on the Weaving New Beginnings Planning Committee for five years and has seen the reception grow in attendance every year.
“It is just a place for people to put faces with allies,” Jansen said.
ASUO Multicultural Center Director Erica Fuller, Assistant Dean for Diversity Programs Mark Tracy, Director of the Black Student Union Dominique Beaumonte and MCC Programs Advocate Darlene Dadras served as the masters of ceremony for the reception. They honored the faculty and staff of color with carnations during the ceremony.
“We want to especially recognize faculty and staff who have been here for more than seven years and have really put their heart and souls into this institution,” Tracy said during his opening address.
Lawrence Carter was one of the faculty members honored at the reception. Carter has worked in the sociology department at the University since 1973. Carter explained the struggle of students, faculty and staff of color have faced over the years, without many gains.
“Students are seen less as exotic tokens but as serious thinking individuals who have to develop their futures,” Carter said.
Dr. Vivian Barnette, a senior staff psychologist at the Counseling Center attended the reception to support Dr. Robin Holmes, who will assume the position of director of the Counseling Center starting January. Barnette said she also came to the reception to meet people.
“I think it is important that students be at events like this because it helps you grow to learn to appreciate other cultures,” said Juston Kearby, a junior business major.
Brandy Alexander, a junior journalism major and the public relations coordinator for the MCC came to Weaving New Beginnings along with Barnette to represent her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, which was established at Howard University in 1908. The sorority is the first African American sorority in America.
“I came tonight to support the students, faculty and staff of color here on campus and to mix and mingle and start the year off right by being here,” Alexander said.
Academic Advisor Hilda Young was honored as the longest tenure faculty member on campus. Young enjoyed seeing so many women and people of color at the reception.
“When I first came here, we didn’t even talk about people of color,” Young said during her brief speech.
University President Dave Frohnmayer extended his thanks to the faculty and staff at the University who have at times endured lonely and hostile conditions. He congratulated those individuals for making a difference on campus through their efforts.