Welcome to The Beacon
JMU Office of Access & Inclusion's Newsletter
January/February 2018
Welcome back JMU family. We hope everyone had a great break, holiday season and of course a Happy New Year.
This installment of The Beacon highlights some great people, programs and upcoming events at JMU. Attend, participate and continue to make JMU more welcoming for everyone. It’s our collective work and efforts that make the JMU community great.
In a community of over 27,000 people it’s hard to spotlight everyone and everything. Of course if you have individuals, groups or programs that should be highlighted please make sure you share their contact information with The Beacon staff.
Have a great semester and let’s all continue to make JMU welcoming and accessible for everyone.
Arthur Dean
Executive Director for Access & Inclusion
ENGAGING OPPORTUNITIES
Stepping Out
Visiting Scholars Program Lectures
Development-Induced Displacement: Case Studies of Impact and Community Engagement from India
The Deepening Divide: Underlying Sources of Civil Conflict in the US and What to Do About Them
12th Annual Diversity Conference
Democracy in Peril Lecture Series
Strongmen from Mussolini to Trump
Madison Vision Series
Education for Democracy
Dr. Lynn Pasquarella
President, Association of American Colleges and Universities
Parade
Student Focused Events
Connect with CMSS for a variety of opportunities that include:
DEEP Impact Diversity Dialogues in Madison Union Ballroom, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Jan. 17th: Civil Rights to Social Justice
Jan. 31st: Hate vs. Heritage - Symbols of the South
Feb 7th: Toxic Masculinity
Feb. 21st: In Your Backyard - Human Trafficking in the US
Recognition Nominations
Nominations are currently being accepted for the following awards:
The Compass Award
Presented by the Office of the President, the Compass Award recognizes an individual or groups’ demonstrated outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion at JMU. Any member of the JMU community may be nominated in any of the four award categories:
Visionary – forward thinking, innovative
Leader – mentoring, guiding, facilitating
Advocate – providing a voice for the underrepresented
Catalyst – transforming societal understandings
Nominations due by 5:00 p.m. on February 7th
The Women of Distinction Award
• Displays leadership: Vision, innovation, creativity and/or the courage to take risks.
• Provides inspiration and motivation to others.
• Enriches and improves the quality of life of others.
• Has shown a special commitment to support and empower other women.
• Recognition as a positive role model through example, mentoring and/or educating.
• Demonstrates excellence in their respective field.
Award recipients will be recognized at the Diversity Conference, March 14th.
Nominate Today!
AT THE FOREFRONT
Meet Caitlyn
Access and inclusion of personal identities
Throughout my time at JMU, I've been a consistent member of Madison Equality (an LGBTQIQAP+ group on campus) for three years, and am currently a representative for SGA, a member of the SGA Diversity Council, and am a student staff member for CMSS/DEEP Impact.
These involvements have provided me with access to various conferences surrounding topics on inclusion and diversity efforts made by social justice communities regarding both my personal identities and the identities of others.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR JMU COMMUNITY IN ACTION
and more...
Broaden your diversity IQ
A glimpse of significant dates in January and February
January 15: Martin Luther King Day commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr., the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and an activist for non-violent social change until his assassination in 1968.
January 27: The International Day of Commemoration to remember the victims of the Holocaust. The anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945 and UN Holocaust Memorial Day.
February is Black History Month in the United States. Since 1976, the month has been designated to remember the contributions of people of the African Diaspora.
February 1: National Freedom Day, which celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.
February 13: Mardi Gras, the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that come with Lent.
February 14: Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Christian faith. As a display of atonement, ashes are marked on worshippers. Lent, which is observed during the seven weeks prior to Easter, is a time of reflection and preparation for the Holy Week and is observed by fasting, charitable giving, and worshipping.
February 16: Lunar/Chinese New Year, widely celebrated in Asian countries, is a time of family reunions and celebrations. It takes place on the first day of the first month according to the Chinese calendar, whose months coordinate with the phases of the moon.
February 19: President’s Day, a federally recognized celebration in the United States of George Washington’s birthday, as well as every president proceeding after Washington.
“As an institution of higher education named for the Father of the Constitution, there is no higher calling for JMU than to be a beacon of civil discourse on the major issues of our time. True learning is only possible when we put aside our differences, and begin listening to one another. That is what higher education is all about.” - President Alger
The Beacon has been created by the Office of Access & Inclusion to share the good work of academic and administrative departments, students, affinity groups and more in supporting diversity and inclusion at JMU. If you have an article or upcoming event that should be considered for the next newsletter please send us an email:
Credits:
Created with images by JMU University Marketing Photography Department; George Bates Studio "Thanks", www.cami.com, Richard Hilliard