Diversity in the 21st Century Addressed at Colorado State University’s 2006 Diversity Conference Oct. 3-5

The sixth annual Diversity Conference at Colorado State University will run Oct. 3-5 with a full lineup of prominent keynote speakers, seminars, lunch events, special exhibits and a high school focus day.

Mae Jemison and Henry Cisneros, keynote speakers for the 2006 conference, "Diversity in the 21st Century: Preparing the Workforce," have had a powerful influence on advancing cultural diversity in America.

Jemison, who speaks from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center, is the first African-American woman to go into space aboard the spaced shuttle Endeavor, which launched in September 1992. Now the founder and president of two technology companies, the space flight was just one of a series of accomplishments for this dynamic woman.

A living testament to American diversity and leadership, Cisneros achieved unprecedented success as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development and as four-term mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He will speak from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center.

A book signing in the Duhesa Lounge will follow each keynote speaker’s address.

A pre-conference University Dialogue, "The Role of the Academy in Preparing a Diverse Workforce: Free Speech, Academic Freedom and Civil Discourse," will be held from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Cherokee Park Room of the Lory Student Center. The dialogue is designed to explore the scope and limitations of academic freedom and free speech in the context of recognizing that, although universities often find themselves at the center of controversy and conflict, they also are uniquely positioned to work openly and directly toward dialogue and common ground.

University Dialogues will offer an opportunity for the university and greater community to engage in substantive discussions of key issues facing the academy and society as a whole and will focus on topics concerning immigration. The dialogues will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Cherokee Park Room in the Lory Student Center and include:

–     Oct. 3 – Immigration: History and Human Rights

–     Oct. 4 – Immigration: Economic and Environmental Sustainability

–     Oct. 5 – Immigration: Access to Higher Education

The conference also offers workshops for the public and high school students on a variety of topics. The workshops are designed to address multiple issues for varying audiences including race, ethnicity, gender, disability, the multi-generational workforce and sexual orientation.

In celebration of the Diversity Conference, Colorado State Libraries will be exhibiting relevant books from the print collection. This showcase of the libraries’ materials will be located across from the loan and reserve desk and will run from Sept. 26-Oct. 13.

The conference closes with an evening of dance and music sponsored by El Centro at 7 p.m. in the Lory Student Center Theater.

For a complete schedule of workshops and events and to pre-register for the free conference, visit the Web at diversity.colostate.edu.

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