Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Bloomsburg University offices are closed and classes are cancelled today, Jan. 21, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The day provides an opportunity for minority leaders on campus to reflect on the progress Bloomsburg University has made and areas where more progress is needed.
Irvin Wright
"I'm most proud of the fact that our students of color feel connected to the university and are integrated into the academic experience," says Irvin Wright, assistant to the provost for diversity initiatives, director of the Act 101/EOP program and chair of the department of developmental instruction. Up until the late 90s, many students didn't feel like they were part of the university. They did not feel welcomed. At graduation, they would say "I'm never coming back."
"Students today enroll here at Bloomsburg in a totally different experience," says Wright. "They feel more welcome, and there is support for students, an expansion of programs. The addition of living learning communities has been a tremendous asset. There are many different things going on that affect students in a positive way. And all students benefit, not just students of color."
Lynette Luckers
Today, students of color do come back. Lynette Luckers, assistant director of diversity and retention, is one of those students. While an undergraduate at Bloomsburg from 1997 to 2001, Luckers was vice president of the Black Cultural Society, a member of the Gospel Choir, a Community Government Association senator, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a resident assistant.
"Now there are more types of minority organizations," said Luckers. "I went to the Gospel Choir holiday concert last semester and it has grown a lot. Now they have a regular director, an accompanist and drummer. There were about 20 of us. Now it's 40 or 50 people. And there are more types of minority organizations for students to join."
Wayne Whitaker, assistant director of admissions and coordinator of minority recruitment, describes the university as "turning a corner."
Wayne Whitaker
"I'm proud of the number of students of color on campus. Students recognize Bloomsburg as a place of opportunity," said Whitaker. "They'll contact me with prospective students' names. Parents too recommend students. We've become a common name in the community."
"We still have some challenges," said Wright. "We need to increase the number of faculty and managers of color. Students of color need role models. I have to give credit to all the faculty who have worked with students to help them adjust to college work. They've really reached out to support our students."