The IU Office of Diversity Education spearheaded its annual Unity Summit in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18, 2010, from 12 noon to 3:30 p.m. in the IU WIllkie Auditorium. The Unity Summit attracted roughly 250 participants to address issues of diversity, discrimination, and advocacy in small group, facilitated discussions. Students enjoyed lunch, took a pledge for 40 Days of Peace modeled after Dr. King, and worked to improve the campus climate for all students at Indiana University. Participants from IU Kokomo, Atterbury Job Corps, and the Bloomington community were also present. Unity Summit Committee Chair and Director of Diversity Education Eric Love stated, "This is an incredible turnout, and it is amazing that we retained 250 students for a 3 1/2-hour program."

The Unity Summit has been an annual event for nearly a decade. Last year, the summit was awarded "IU Program of the Year" by the Commission on Multicultural Understanding (COMU). While sponsored by the IU Office of Diversity Education, the financial co-sponsors include the IU Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration Committee and the City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The Black Student Union, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. were student organization sponsors this year. The organizing committee included Doug Bauder from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Student Services Office; Sarah Wilcox and Colleen Rose from Student Activities; and Patrick Hale, a Master's student in HESA and graduate assistant for Residential Programs and Services. Additional volunteers included ACES, Hudson-Holland Scholars, FASE Mentors, Groups, and Atkins Students.

Direct questions about the Unity Summit to Eric Love at elove@indiana.edu.

Revised: January 20, 2010

Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs
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