Thursday event to support diversity on campus
Monica Bonneau, '11 | Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/16/09 Section: News
On Thursday, Oct. 22, a new project named "This is Morrisville" will come to the STUAC Theater. It is directed by Humanities Professor Timothy Gerken, Ph.D., and co-directed by CITA student Errol Scott. Its main objective is to raise awareness of diversity on campus.
Gerken was inspired by a project in Australia called "This is Oz," which is based on issues of gender, sexuality and diversity. It aims to fight discrimination against certain groups, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals. Photos are featured of all different types of people holding signs up that express how they feel towards their own sexuality and orientation. These photos can be viewed at Thisisoz.com.au.
The MSC event, which will run from noon to 3 p.m., is largely supported by the Liberal Arts Department. It will be similar to the Australian Web site, and students who attend will receive a "This is Morrisville" button. "There will be two chairs and two photographers," Gerken said. "People will create their own signs to support their beliefs on diversity." All students are welcome to participate, Gerken said.
Gerken also conducts art shows in the Morrisville Library. After all the photos are taken he will set a show up to show the diverse pictures. The pictures will be shown in the library sometime in early November, and an open reception will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11.
The project is sponsored by the Sheila Johnson Institute. A few years back, Sheila Johnson donated $1 million to Morrisville in hopes of creating projects like "This is Morrisville."
"I want to open minds, and reduce prejudice," Gerken said. "The more we show diversity, the better the project works."
Gerken was inspired by a project in Australia called "This is Oz," which is based on issues of gender, sexuality and diversity. It aims to fight discrimination against certain groups, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals. Photos are featured of all different types of people holding signs up that express how they feel towards their own sexuality and orientation. These photos can be viewed at Thisisoz.com.au.
The MSC event, which will run from noon to 3 p.m., is largely supported by the Liberal Arts Department. It will be similar to the Australian Web site, and students who attend will receive a "This is Morrisville" button. "There will be two chairs and two photographers," Gerken said. "People will create their own signs to support their beliefs on diversity." All students are welcome to participate, Gerken said.
 | Professor Janice Reid, Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, poses during "This is Oz," the Australian version of a diversity project that comes to Morrisville next Thursday. Photo courtesy of Prof. Timothy Gerken. |
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Gerken also conducts art shows in the Morrisville Library. After all the photos are taken he will set a show up to show the diverse pictures. The pictures will be shown in the library sometime in early November, and an open reception will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11.
The project is sponsored by the Sheila Johnson Institute. A few years back, Sheila Johnson donated $1 million to Morrisville in hopes of creating projects like "This is Morrisville."
"I want to open minds, and reduce prejudice," Gerken said. "The more we show diversity, the better the project works."