2008 Woodie Awards
Founder speaks on Diversity Day
Founder of Diversity Day Leo Parvis spoke at SCSU to bring different cultures together in harmony
Nicole Gillespie
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Leo Parvis, a senior instructor in the arts and sciences department at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, said National Diversity Day began as a way to bring all people everywhere together, despite their differences: "A day to celebrate and embrace who we are."
Belief in diversity is more about action than words according to Parvis.
SCSU demonstrated this through its celebration of the first National Diversity Day and invitation to the founder, Parvis, to speak to students, faculty and staff.
To welcome Parvis, various representatives of the academic community including SCSU President Earl Potter, director of human resources Larry Chambers and associate dean of multicultural affairs Carolyn Williams.
They introduced the topic of diversity as well as a traditional dance performed by representatives of the Hmong community on campus.
Potter began the presentation by saying, "St. Cloud State University has a commitment to create a campus community" that is also beneficial to the community as a whole.
Chambers agreed with Potter and said, "We can make this (National Diversity Day) an annual event," and that "We cannot afford to waste any more time; we must fully embrace diversity here at St. Cloud State University."
Parvis began, after a brief background of National Diversity Day and himself, by challenging the audience, which filled three-quarters of the Cascade Room in Atwood Memorial Center.
He asked, "What criteria is enough to be called an American?"
Parvis talked about the number of ethnic groups in Minnesota tripling in the past 10 years, and said Minnesota contains the second largest Hmong community behind California.
These facts, among a few others, help validate that the American Midwest is no in longer the middle of nowhere and that it now is, "the middle of everywhere."
Being a culturally diverse community makes it that much more important to celebrate a day such as this because it acknowledges the importance of every culture and unites us as humanity through social acceptance and inclusion, according to Parvis, whom is not only an instructor but also a member of multiple community organizations such as the Chaska Human Rights Commission, the Board of Directors of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission, and many more involving the rights of a diverse community.
Parvis stated that he was, "pleased to see that your institution acknowledges diversity through its Multicultural Center," and that we here at St. Cloud State can be looked to as leaders in the quest for diversity acceptance and awareness.
When asked how they enjoyed the presentation SCSU students Judy Mosby and Megan Russell thought that it was "really interesting" and brought about an "appreciation for other cultures" that might have otherwise not been represented.
What can we do not only as a campus community but as American citizens to help achieve a peaceful and diverse community? Parvis suggests learning about diversity and acceptance yourself, getting acquainted with statistics on diversity, and minimizing the gaps between "them and us."
Belief in diversity is more about action than words according to Parvis.
SCSU demonstrated this through its celebration of the first National Diversity Day and invitation to the founder, Parvis, to speak to students, faculty and staff.
To welcome Parvis, various representatives of the academic community including SCSU President Earl Potter, director of human resources Larry Chambers and associate dean of multicultural affairs Carolyn Williams.
They introduced the topic of diversity as well as a traditional dance performed by representatives of the Hmong community on campus.
Potter began the presentation by saying, "St. Cloud State University has a commitment to create a campus community" that is also beneficial to the community as a whole.
Chambers agreed with Potter and said, "We can make this (National Diversity Day) an annual event," and that "We cannot afford to waste any more time; we must fully embrace diversity here at St. Cloud State University."
Parvis began, after a brief background of National Diversity Day and himself, by challenging the audience, which filled three-quarters of the Cascade Room in Atwood Memorial Center.
He asked, "What criteria is enough to be called an American?"
Parvis talked about the number of ethnic groups in Minnesota tripling in the past 10 years, and said Minnesota contains the second largest Hmong community behind California.
These facts, among a few others, help validate that the American Midwest is no in longer the middle of nowhere and that it now is, "the middle of everywhere."
Being a culturally diverse community makes it that much more important to celebrate a day such as this because it acknowledges the importance of every culture and unites us as humanity through social acceptance and inclusion, according to Parvis, whom is not only an instructor but also a member of multiple community organizations such as the Chaska Human Rights Commission, the Board of Directors of the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commission, and many more involving the rights of a diverse community.
Parvis stated that he was, "pleased to see that your institution acknowledges diversity through its Multicultural Center," and that we here at St. Cloud State can be looked to as leaders in the quest for diversity acceptance and awareness.
When asked how they enjoyed the presentation SCSU students Judy Mosby and Megan Russell thought that it was "really interesting" and brought about an "appreciation for other cultures" that might have otherwise not been represented.
What can we do not only as a campus community but as American citizens to help achieve a peaceful and diverse community? Parvis suggests learning about diversity and acceptance yourself, getting acquainted with statistics on diversity, and minimizing the gaps between "them and us."