April 4, 2012 | Michael Kirk

UConn to Hold Symposium on Diversity April 9

The program will feature a keynote address, followed by a panel discussion on achieving academic excellence through diversity.

Lewis R. Gordon is Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought. He also is Director of the Center for Afro-Jewish Studies and a Laura H. Carnell Professor of Philosophy at Temple University and President of the Caribbean Philosophical Association.

Lewis R. Gordon is Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought. He also is Director of the Center for Afro-Jewish Studies and a Laura H. Carnell Professor of Philosophy at Temple University and President of the Caribbean Philosophical Association.

Lewis Gordon, director of the Center for Afro-Jewish Studies and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Philosophy at Temple University. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Gordon)
Lewis Gordon, director of the Center for Afro-Jewish Studies and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Philosophy at Temple University. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Gordon)

The President’s Symposium on Diversity will take place on Monday, April 9 in Room 101 of Classroom Building from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m., followed by a reception.

All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

President Susan Herbst will give opening remarks at the event.

“Diversity is so vital to us, especially in higher education, because it helps to make us all more insightful, understanding, and well-rounded as students, faculty, and staff members,” said Herbst. “It’s important that our public institutions are a reflection of our very diverse society and world, because it gives life to a much richer, more rewarding environment for everyone.”

The keynote address, “Racism as Disciplinary Decadence,” will be given by Lewis Gordon, a professor of philosophy and director of the Center for Afro-Jewish Thought at Temple University in Philadelphia.

The address will be followed by a panel discussion with UConn students, faculty, and staff titled “Achieving Academic Excellence Through Diversity: What Does it Mean?” Panelists include Hedley Freake, a professor of nutritional sciences at UConn; Gordon; Kathleen Holgerson, director of UConn’s Women’s Center; Salome Raheim, dean of UConn’s School of Social Work; Jorge Santos, a Ph.D. student in UConn’s English department; and Sam Tracy, the president of UConn’s Undergraduate Student Government.

The panel will be moderated by Bandana Purkayastha, professor and acting department head in sociology.

The keynote address will run from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the panel discussion will take place from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., with a reception following.

For more information, contact the Office of University Events at 860-486-1038.