Focus on Social Justice Issues

M. Lee Pelton Announces the Council on Diversity and Social Justice

November 30, 2006

Dear Willamette community,

I am pleased to announce the membership of the Council on Diversity and Social Justice.

Charlie Wallace, University Chaplain and Associate Professor of Religious Studies, has agreed to chair the Council. Charlie is respected in our community for his balanced perspective, integrity and commitment to social justice and equality. I am grateful that he has agreed to serve Willamette in this capacity.

The Council’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12.

I have requested that the Council, among many things, develop its mission and purpose as well as responses to the issues contained in the November 16 letter from “Concerned Students for Social Justice.”

Its first task will be to collaborate with faculty and students to develop plans for a “teach-in” or other opportunities that engage the community in focused discussion, debate and understanding of issues related to diversity, social justice, the dimensions of freedom of expression and the application of technology in public discourse. It would be my expectation that these activities would occur as soon as possible at the beginning of the Spring Term.

The Council will report its work annually to the Board of Trustees and the community.

A roster of the Council’s membership is attached. Please join me in thanking in advance the members of the Council for their good work.

Recent events have given us the opportunity to bring the community together through a reaffirmation of our motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”

When I walk the academic halls or visit the laboratories or watch a soccer game in the driving rain or attend a musical concert that moves me to new places of feeling and thought or that simply takes my breath away, I see not what is, but what will be. Ours is a place of light and liberty, to paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli. Let us join hands to ensure that our legacy will inspire and nourish future generations of Willamette faculty, students and staff.

I appreciate your support and help in this important endeavor.

Sincerely,

Lee Pelton

Council on Diversity and Social Justice

Faculty

  • Melissa Buis Michaux, Assistant Professor of Politics, CLA
  • Maria Blanco, Professor of Spanish, CLA
  • Nacho Cordova, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies, CLA
  • Seth Cotler, Associate Professor of History, CLA
  • Linda Tamura (in February), Professor of Education, CLA/SoE
  • W. Warren Binford, Assistant Professor of Law, Director of Clinical Law Program, Law

Students

  • Will Nevius, CLA ’09
  • Hanna Mitchell, CLA ’08
  • Cliff Leek, CLA ’10
  • Kimberly L. (Larkin) Smith, CLA ’09
  • Emilio Solano, CLA ’09

Administrators

  • David Douglass, Associate Dean, Professor of Rhetoric and Media Studies, CLA
  • Dan Craig, Facilities Supervisor
  • Sue Rauch, Interim Vice President, Enrollment
  • Keith Grimm, Director of Employee Services
  • David Audley, Director, Alumni and Parent Relations
  • Kris Lou, Director of International Ed
  • Charlie Wallace, Chaplain, Associate Professor of Religious Studies (Chair)
  • Gordy Toyama, Director of Multicultural Affairs
  • Masaki Shimada, Director, Campus Life and Academic Services, TIUA
  • Bo Bae, AGSM Student Affairs Coordinator

Ex Officio

  • Lee Pelton, President
  • Kristen Grainger, Vice President
  • Carol Long, Dean, College of Liberal Arts
  • Bob Hawkinson, Dean, Campus Life