Colorado State University Celebrates Diversity with Annual Summit

Colorado State University is honoring its diverse culture with a series of speakers at the 4th Annual Diversity Summit Sept 27-30. The summit includes a variety of events, well-known guest speakers, comments from Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley, dialogs with university administration about diversity initiatives, an evening of music and dance and discussions about fostering diversity on multiple fronts.

     The keynote speakers for this year’s summit, based on the theme, "Grounding Ourselves in Diversity: Data, Dialogue, and Direction for the Future," are Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor Edward James Olmos and acclaimed author Nikki Giovanni. The summit focuses on continuing to build diversity and inclusive environments on campus and in the Northern Colorado community.

Olmos is an internationally renowned actor, producer, director and community activist who is well known for projects such as "American Me," "Stand and Deliver" and his long-running role as Lt. Castillo in "Miami Vice." Olmos will be the Monfort-in-Residence keynote speaker.

Giovanni is recipient of numerous honorary doctorates and has published several critically acclaimed works, including nearly 20 books of poetry and essays. A recording of her poems was one of the best-selling albums in the country. Her book, "Blues: For All the Changes," made the Los Angeles Times Bestseller list, marking the first time a poet has ever been listed.  She is a University Distinguished Professor of writing, poetry and literature at Virginia Tech.

     "Our university community must continue to be a place that values and respects the differences among the people we serve – and recognizes the necessity of diversity to the furtherance of the role and mission of Colorado State University as a land-grant institution for excellence," said Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley.  

     For more information about the summit and for a complete schedule of events, visit www.provost.colostate.edu/diversity_summit or call (970) 491-4965.

-30-