Category | News

Faculty gets together after long summer break ends

Published on July 25, 2006 by The Sentinel

The annual Opening of School Diversity Luncheon will take place on Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the dinning room addition to the Carmichael Student Center. Hosted by the Division of Global Diversity, Legal Affairs and Community Affairs, the luncheon is open to all faculty and staff.

The annual Opening of School Diversity Luncheon will take place on Aug. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the dinning room addition to the Carmichael Student Center. Hosted by the Division of Global Diversity, Legal Affairs and Community Affairs, the luncheon is open to all faculty and staff.

This hold opportunity for any faculty and staff to meet and become acquainted with the new University President, Dr. Dan Papp along with his cabinet.

The luncheon originally began in 1996 by Melvis Atkinson, previous director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at KSU, as a minority employee luncheon. The Minority Employee Luncheon gave minority employees the chance to meet and greet each other before the fall semester began. Other employees of the university felt left-out of the luncheon and now every member of the staff is invited for this cultural-sharing event.

Last year, those in attendance were able to witness a traditional Indian dance given by a KSU professor. “It’s a party,” said Dr. Flora Devine, director of the division of Global Diversity and legal and academic affairs. “We try to make it a fun event.”

Already twice as many have signed up to attend from last year’s event. Devine predicted that this year’s event will sell out. Expecting a large capacity, the event planners rearranged the party’s lay-out and planned for the food to be outside of the dinning room to accommodate the group of people inside. Devine noted that there were two probable reasons to the incline of attendees.

Part of the reason this luncheon is so well supported is because of Dr. Lyndley Black, vice president for Academic Affairs.

“He has really supported the event in the past and has encouraged people this year to come out and show their support,” said Devine.

Devine attributed another reason for the popularity to the new president. Many faculty and staff have no had the chance to meet Papp and see this as a good opportunity.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Carlton Usher, assistant professor in University Studies. Both Papp and Black are also scheduled to speak at the luncheon.

Those planning to attend the luncheon should register by Aug. 11 and send their $12 in cash or check to KH3429. For details or questions, contact Cheryl Wayne at 770-499-3562.