Respecting Differences

20th annual Respecting Differences event: Salsa, Soul and Spirit in a Multicultural Age

Dear Colleagues:

As members of the Western Michigan University community, we carry a collective responsibility for creating an environment where every person can be respected, appreciated and have an opportunity to succeed. To support that commitment, we are co-sponsoring the 20th annual diversity event "Respecting Differences 2018" with the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, city of Portage, Community Mental Health Substance Abuse Services and Kalamazoo College. We strongly encourage everyone to attend as their schedules allow.

This year's speaker is Juana Bordas, president of Mestiza Leadership International. Bordas weaves leadership, diversity and community building into a multicolored tapestry that motivates people to act. She utilizes practices from many cultural traditions to illustrate the richness and wisdom diversity brings.

This year's diversity event will be held at Chenery Auditorium. The schedule of events has been set so attendees would be off-campus for approximately two hours, thus posing minimal disruption to WMU services.

Two presentations are scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Admission is free; however, event tickets are required. Every WMU faculty and staff member was sent a ticket through campus mail during the week of March 19. Parking is available behind Chenery Auditorium and on the neighboring side streets. Carpooling is recommended.

Thank you for your assistance in supporting this very important diversity event. If you have any questions, please call Peggy Miller, Human Resources, at (269) 387-3646, or Mike Ramirez, Division of Multicultural Affairs at (269) 387-3329 or visit the website.

Sincerely,

Edward Montgomery

President