Diversity Council Timeline 1909 – 2009In 1909, Lesley College is founded as a normal school to train young women in kindergarten education. The term "normal" is based on the French ecole normal superieure, a school to educate teachers.Miss Anna Tikkanen Savolainen, an international student from Finland, is the first student enrolled. Initial enrollment is 11 students. Ms. Savolainen graduates in 1911.
Sam Smiley, Diversity Council memberIn1940s – 1950s, Lesley is predominately a school for Caucasian women. An influx of Jewish students during this time provides a major cultural shift. Lesley's first African American student is Margaret Therestine.
In 1970, Lesley students go on strike and demand a certain percentage of Black construction workers and an integrated work force for the new campus building project. The administration responds with changes in curriculum, curfew, scheduling, and living arrangements.
In 1993, The Diversity Initiative Executive Committee establishes task forces devoted to: (1) recruitment and retention of minority faculty and students; (2) curriculum and instruction; (3) institutional assessment and evaluation; (4) quality of life; (5) diversity training and development; and (6) student diversity issues. The Chairs of these various committees and the Executive Committee form the Diversity Initiative Steering Committee.
The task forces are charged with the responsibility for creating a campus living and learning environment that prepares Lesley students to become positive forces for diversity in their professional lives and within their communities. Each of these efforts demonstrate that the "commitment to addressing diversity is essential to our academic mission."
In 1996, President Margaret McKenna and the Diversity Committee sponsor a Diversity Day, a gala celebration of the many facets of diversity on the Lesley campus and symbolic of how Lesley values multi-ethnic and multi-cultural communities. The event features keynote speaker, The Reverend Doctor Cornell West, Harvard University Professor of Afro-American Studies and Philosophy of Religion.
In 2005, Mr. James Parker, a transfer student, is the first male undergraduate student admitted to Lesley University in January 2005. He majors in Global Studies, earns a Bachelor of Science degree and graduates May 19, 2008.
In 2009, Dr. Priscilla (Prilly) Sanville speaks at the Race, Culture, Identity, and Achievement Series. Dr. Sanville is Associate Professor in Creative Arts and Learning and her background is in Multicultural Education with a focus on culture, learning styles, drama, dance, group facilitation, social justice through the arts, and curriculum integration.
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full Diversity Timeline.