Thiel College celebrates diversity with Martin Luther King awards and speaker series

GREENVILLE, Pa. - Feb. 4, 2021 - PRLog -- Thiel College is hosting several events throughout March and February to recognize, celebrate and focus on diversity.

Online meetings discussing topics around diversity, movies and discussions and an awards ceremony celebrating the contributions of a student, an alumna and a staff member along with a keynote address by Roger Cleveland, Ph.D. are on tap throughout February and March. The events are being put on through Thiel's (https://www.thiel.edu/) Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

"As a community, it is vitally important that we remain focused on issues of diversity and inclusion. We cannot be lulled into complacency because there are not tragic and sad events dominating our daily newsfeed," Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Anthony E. Jones Jr. said. "It is precisely in these times between the divisive headlines about prejudice, injustice and intolerance when we can come together as a community and find understanding, create common ground, increase empathy and generate goodwill."

Movies with diversity themes are scheduled to be shown on select Monday evenings at 7 in Bly Hall of the Academic Center. The schedule opened Monday with a screening of American Skin. The remaining movies are One Night in Miami (Feb. 22), Knock Down the House (March 1) and Feminists: What Were They Thinking? (March 29).

Aaron Harris, a career consultant at Texas Christian University will lead the online conversation, "Embracing your Blackness," part of Thiel's Courageous Conversation series.

Thiel College's third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Ceremony will be an online celebration of alumna Terri Eddy '19, student Stacy Reecks '21 and Jones.

The second edition of the Thiel College Courageous Conversation series will be led by Clay Sanders, director of athletics and physical education instructor at Mallard Creek STEW Academy. He will discuss "Sports and Social Justice, Is It Synonymous?"

Bertha White, a clinical therapist and CEO of Agent of Change Mental Health Services and Resources, will lead the Thiel College Courageous Conversation, "Overcoming: 2020 Vision in Hindsight/Vision 2021 with Clarity."

The final Thiel College Courageous Conversation, "Turning Passion into Purpose," is at noon March 18 and will be led by Jailyn Stevenson, a resident director at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

About Thiel College

Thiel College (https://www.thiel.edu/) is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., Thiel offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation.