Symposium renamed to honor champion for diversity

A prominent Central Michigan University event is getting a new name to recognize how campus community members contribute to national efforts to improve equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice.

The Klymyshyn Symposium on Inclusive Excellence and Social Justice will take place from Feb. 12-14. In previous years, it was called the Diversity Symposium and was held in April.

More than 26 sessions, roundtables, workshops and speakers are scheduled across the three-day symposium. While most of the events will take place in Bovee University Center, Friday’s sessions and keynote speech will be in French Auditorium.

“This event represents just a sample of the depth and breadth of our communities’ commitment to embedding our values into our collective teaching, learning, advocacy and service efforts,” said Shawna Patterson-Stephens, vice president for inclusive excellence and belonging.

The symposium is now named after Ulana Klymyshyn, who taught in the anthropology department and retired in 2015 as director of Diversity Education, and who is also known for her contributions to diversity in the Mount Pleasant area, Patterson-Stephens said.

“Klymyshyn was pivotal in implementing what has now transitioned into an annual learning experience,” she said. “As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, naming the symposium after Klymyshyn is an exciting way for us to honor her legacy here at CMU.” 

The event is open to the public, but registration is required.