Campus News: November 6th, 2008

From Kim Schmidl-Gagne, Academic Affairs: On Wednesday, November 12, Dr. Jennifer Lisa Vest will present a lecture and a reading of her poems at noon in the Mountain View Room.

Dr. Vest approaches issues about racial intersections, about the right to have “my own voice” as a Native American woman, and about scholars of color in traditional disciplines. This event is sponsored by the Feminist Collective, the Women’s Studies Council, the Campus Commission on the Status of Women, the Campus Commission on Diversity and Multiculturalism, and Common Ground. For more information, contact Kim Schmidl-Gagne at 8-2768.

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From Bill Stroup, English: The month of November is nationally recognized as the month for Native American appreciation and remembrance. Check out these Native American-themed events:

Monday, November 10, 6 p.m., Mountain View Room:
Prof. Kristy Feldhousen-Giles: “The Freedmen: Race and the Question of Tribal Citizenship”
The Freedmen are people of mixed African, Native American, and white ancestry with histories of slavery and intermarriage in the Five Civilized Tribes. Although most Freedmen were guaranteed tribal citizenship after their emancipation, today most Freedmen have been disenfranchised from their tribes. Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday, November 12, 12 p.m., Mountain View Room:
Dr. Jennifer Vest: “The Philopoetics of Biracial Identity”
Jennifer Lisa Vest is a mixed-race (Native American/African-American) poet and philosopher from Chicago. A professor by day and a poet by night, Dr. Vest performs her poetry, delivers philosophy papers, and sometimes combines the two genres to deliver “philopoetics” on issues of race, culture, identity, and justice at academic, community, and artistic venues throughout the country.

Wednesday, November 19, 4 p.m., Madison St. Lounge:
Brenda Esperanza, Counseling Center: “Native American Spirituality”
Join us for an exploration of various Native/indigenous beliefs and practices.

Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m., Night Owl Café:
In 2007, Dances with Wolves (1990) was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film tells the story of a United States Army lieutenant (Kevin Costner) who travels to the American frontier in search of a military post. He eventually befriends a local Sioux tribe, learning their culture, Lakota language, and rituals.

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Dr. Dottie Morris has been appointed Interim Chief Officer for Diversity and Multiculturalism at the College.

“Dr. Morris brings an exceptional resumé with a strong combination of academic credentials and life experience, and well-grounded preparation and understanding in the areas of diversity and multiculturalism,” President Giles-Gee wrote in an announcement to the campus.

Morris worked most recently as associate dean for Student Learning at the World Learning SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vt., and as director of Student Affairs/Core Faculty at the Clinical Mental Health Program at Antioch University, Keene. She has worked at Keene State as an adjunct faculty member in the psychology department, and was named one of Keene State College’s 2008 Outstanding Women of New Hampshire.

The Chief Officer for Diversity and Multiculturalism will recommend institutional practices and policies that foster a welcoming and inclusive campus community. Reporting directly to the president, she will provide support and resources to the College’s deans, commissions, department chairs, administrators, staff, and students in matters related to the advancement of the College’s goals for diversity and multiculturalism. Dr. Morris will begin on September 29, 2008. Her office will be located on the first floor of Hale Building.

Courtesy Photo
Dr. Dottie Morris (seated far right) with the 2008 recipients of Keene State College’s Outstanding Women of New Hampshire (standing, l. to r.): Helen Giles-Gee, Jan Cohen, Jahleh Ghanbari; seated: Juliana Eades

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From Jeanne Hearn, President’s Office: The Interim Chief Diversity Officer search committee is pleased to announce details of the upcoming interview process for this position. All staff, faculty, and students are warmly invited to attend campus open forums for each candidate. The finalists, dates, times, and locations for the campus open forums are as follows:

Cynthia Chase
Thursday, September 4, 10-11 a.m.
Student Center Mountain View Room

Dottie Morris
Friday, September 5, 2-3 p.m.

Science Center 101

Participation from the campus community is critical to the success of this search, and we welcome your feedback on the candidates.

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