Diversity Conference brings 160 to BU
Approximately 160 students, teachers and administrators from 10 area high schools recently attended the sixth annual Diversity Conference at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. High schools included Benton, Berwick, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Columbia Montour Vo-Tech, Danville, Mount Carmel, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy and Southern Columbia.
BU President David Soltz welcomed the participants. Ekema Agbaw, professor of English, and BU students presented diversity readings.
Conference participants moved to breakout sessions: "Gay, Straight, Friend or Foe?" moderated by Stephanie Schlitz, assistant professor of English, and Alana Atchinson, assistant professor of sociology, social work and criminal justice; "Diversity and the X-Men" moderated by Christina Francis, assistant professor of English; "Getting Real with Improv" led by Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble members; "Rhythm Village: Creating Community Through Rhythm and Drums" with Pennsylvania Artist-in-Residence Mary Knysh; and "Living/Learning Diversity in College" facilitated by Jim Dalton, professor of psychology, and Frederick Douglass Living/Learning Community students. Participants also enjoyed BU Quest teambuilding sessions.
The conference was coordinated by the Bloomsburg University/Community Racial Equity Task Force and volunteers. Funding was provided by the task force, the Berwick Health and Wellness Fund of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation and the Bloomsburg University Foundation.