In the same week that Miami University's new vice president for institutional diversity officially stepped into her position, 200 students, faculty and community members honored the memory of Cincinnati-area businessman and philanthropist Lavatus Powell, Jr.
The eighth annual Lavatus Powell Conference was specifically designed to instigate discussion and thought on issues of diversity at Miami. According to a distributed handout, Powell briefly worked as a public school teacher in Cincinnati before being employed at Procter & Gamble for 32 years, until his retirement in 1997.
Earl Pinkett and Lindsay Camacho, co-chairs of the Multicultural Concerts and Lectures Board of Campus Activities Council, opened the conference by pointing out the diverse array of student groups present, including the Associated Student Government (ASG) student senate, scholar leaders, multicultural groups and social fraternities.
Richard Nault, vice president for student affairs, served as the keynote speaker for the event. Nault, who is retiring this year, claimed that he views Powell as a role-model, especially for Powell's work teaching summer math classes in Oxford for local middle school students.
"When he retired, he demonstrated his values as he continued to give back to the community," Nault said. "He chose in his retirement to be a teacher."
After mentioning his respect for Powell's work in the Oxford area, Nault handed over a list he called, "Dick Nault's three rules for developing diversity."
"Creating communities that respect diversity has always been an interest for me," Nault said. "It remains one of the most complex issues we deal with in this nation."
Nault's first rule encouraged listeners to decide on the role of leadership in their lives. As he put it, they need to "know why or why not they're in the game."
The second rule on Nault's list was to walk the talk. He said it troubles him when people are doing little about improving diversity although they claim to care about it.
"I don't think we can say we want Miami to be more diverse unless we're willing to follow through," Nault said. "Our actions, not our words, are a test of commitment."
Nault's third rule was that building diversity is like peeling back the layers of an onion. For Nault, building diversity is a lifelong struggle that involves constantly peeling back more layers of understanding.
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"A complete understanding may never be possible, but I feel it's an undertaking we must all take," Nault said.
Nault concluded his speech by encouraging his audience to pledge their hearts to the journey towards racial equality.
"I hope that you take leadership on this campus and take steps to promote racial diversity," Nault said. "Lavatus Powell was a great man, but you are great students. I hope you'll be part of the complex conversations that need to take place."
After Nault completed his speech, attendees were encouraged to discuss a question with their table regarding topics of diversity. The provided questions included a variety of topics such as, "Do you make an effort to step outside your comfort zone?" and, "How do you communicate with people different from yourself?"
The program concluded with the presentation of two awards in honor of Powell. The Lavatus Powell Community Builder Award was presented to a faculty member and a student who demonstrates commitment to the ideals Powell demonstrated in his lifetime.
Karen Montgomery, visiting assistant professor of teacher education, received the faculty award for helping to found the first college chapter of Ambassadors for Children (AFC) in 2006. This organization allows Miami students the opportunity to travel to Belize or El Salvador to assist children in need.
According to Pinkett, the presenter of the award, Montgomery organized donation partnerships with the Talawanda School District, the Kiwanis Club of Oxford and Miami University to support the organization.
Montgomery accepted the award, a $500 donation to AFC, while emphasizing her commitment to continuing her work with AFC.
"Retirement doesn't exist," Montgomery said. "There's no departing from the path. You are always teaching."
Kavita Patel, a senior chemistry major, received the student award for her work with freetheslaves.net. Patel serves as the Diwali chair for the Indian Students Association and arranged for the proceeds from this year's Diwali to be donated to the Free the Slaves organization.
After the awards presentation, Myrtis Powell, wife of Lavatus Powell, introduced her family and thanked everyone in attendance for their efforts to celebrate Lavatus' efforts to improve racial diversity.
"We appreciate what you do each year to remember Lavatus," Powell said.
Bethany Bowyer, ASG's secretary for academic affairs, attended the event and appreciated Nault's comments on the effect that diversity can have in Miami students' lives.
"It's an opportunity for student leaders at Miami to come together to celebrate and discuss the meaning of diversity and the role it can play in each of our lives," Bowyer said. "It's enriching to have someone else's experience give you a new perspective of the world."
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