Students studying in the Chicano/Latino Student Center. Photo by WSU Photo Services.
PULLMAN, Wash. Many Washington State University alumni were able to graduate and get good jobs thanks to the Office of Multicultural Student Services. Along with faculty, staff and students, they will return Oct. 22-27 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of MSS.
The week will begin with a diversity legacy poster event, continue with forums to envision the future and conclude with a fundraising banquet. A full calendar of events can be found at http://25years.wsu.edu.
Tickets for the banquet cost $50 and are available for purchase here. Online donations also can be made at various levels to the new “Multicultural Student Services Endowment Fund.” More than $50,000 has been pledged to the endowment, which will help MSS keep pace as the number of multicultural students at WSU continues to grow.
MSS has seen the number of students it serves grow exponentially. When it was established, 1,249 students enrolled at WSU self-identified as students of color. In 2012, more than 4,900 multicultural undergraduate students are enrolled, comprising 22 percent of the student body.
In 1987, then-WSU President Sam Smith recognized the potential the university had for recruiting, retaining and graduating students of color. To provide leadership, he formed the Office of Minority Affairs, now known as the Office of Multicultural Student Services.
“I have talked to many alumni who are very excited about coming back to Pullman for this celebration,” said J. Manuel Acevedo, director of MSS. “Many say MSS, along with other key support services at WSU, made the difference in their ability to graduate and secure good jobs.”
Schedule of events:
Monday, Oct. 22, Diversity Legacy Exhibit
Each of WSU’s diverse student organizations was invited to create a poster highlighting its history and mission. They will be displayed all week in the Terrell Library atrium. A public reception will be at 5 p.m.; it will feature a new flavor of ice cream created by Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe for the anniversary – champagne legacy swirl.
Each of WSU’s diverse student organizations was invited to create a poster highlighting its history and mission. They will be displayed all week in the Terrell Library atrium. A public reception will be at 5 p.m.; it will feature a new flavor of ice cream created by Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe for the anniversary – champagne legacy swirl.
Tuesday-Thursday, Oct. 23-Oct. 25, Public Forums
Three forums, beginning at noon in the CUB Butch’s Den (L60), will follow the theme of creating a diversity vision for the next 25 years. Tuesday will focus on students and student organizations, Wednesday on faculty and staff and Thursday on the overall WSU and Pullman communities. The new ice cream will be served each day.
Three forums, beginning at noon in the CUB Butch’s Den (L60), will follow the theme of creating a diversity vision for the next 25 years. Tuesday will focus on students and student organizations, Wednesday on faculty and staff and Thursday on the overall WSU and Pullman communities. The new ice cream will be served each day.
Friday, Oct. 26, Student and Alumni Mixer
WSU alumni and students will meet and mingle at 6 p.m. in the Lewis Alumni Centre. The mixer will feature entertainment, refreshments and an open mic.
WSU alumni and students will meet and mingle at 6 p.m. in the Lewis Alumni Centre. The mixer will feature entertainment, refreshments and an open mic.
 |
| Sam Smith |
Saturday, Oct. 27, Sharing the Legacy Gathering
The public is invited to Smith CUE 203 for an 11 a.m. brunch followed by a welcome address by WSU President Emeritus Sam Smith. Breakout sessions noon-2 p.m. will highlight WSU’s multicultural alumni chapters and diverse student centers. Following will be tours of MSS, the Martin Stadium press box and WSU’s cultural houses.
The public is invited to Smith CUE 203 for an 11 a.m. brunch followed by a welcome address by WSU President Emeritus Sam Smith. Breakout sessions noon-2 p.m. will highlight WSU’s multicultural alumni chapters and diverse student centers. Following will be tours of MSS, the Martin Stadium press box and WSU’s cultural houses.
Saturday, Oct. 27, Anniversary Fundraising Banquet
Happy hour and a silent auction begin at 6 p.m. in the CUB Senior Ballroom. Items up for bid include Merry Cellars wine with limited edition 25th anniversary labels, golf at Palouse Ridge, overnight stays at the Silver Reef Hotel and the Davenport, 50-yard-line seats for the WSU Dad’s Weekend game and meals at many restaurants.
Happy hour and a silent auction begin at 6 p.m. in the CUB Senior Ballroom. Items up for bid include Merry Cellars wine with limited edition 25th anniversary labels, golf at Palouse Ridge, overnight stays at the Silver Reef Hotel and the Davenport, 50-yard-line seats for the WSU Dad’s Weekend game and meals at many restaurants.
“The response from local businesses has been very impressive,” said Bella Claros, a student team leader in charge of seeking donations. “I’ve discovered that business owners really believe in what MSS is all about and want to support the scholastic achievement of WSU students.”
 |
| Ron Sims |
Businesses and people that haven’t donated to the auction can still do so by contacting Claros at bella.claros100@email.wsu.edu.
The banquet will begin at 7 p.m., with Ron Sims scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Sims is former deputy secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development and a member of WSU’s Board of Regents. The evening and celebration will conclude with a dance.