PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University’s Office of Multicultural Student Services (MSS) will turn 25 years old this fall, and a variety of events are planned for "Celebrating a Quarter-Century of Diversity at WSU.”

 

It was 1987 when former WSU President Sam Smith recognized the potential the university had for recruiting, retaining and graduating students of color. To provide leadership in the endeavor, he formed the Office of Minority Affairs, which is now the Office of Multicultural Student Services.

 

The centerpiece of the anniversary celebration will be a recognition and fundraising banquet on Saturday, Oct. 27, in the CUB ballroom.

 

While the banquet may be the biggest draw for alumni, donors and community members, the celebration planning committee envisions a series of events and activities throughout 2012-2013 that will bring attention to WSU’s many accomplishments in diversity.

 

"I am very excited about engaging people in the reflection of our conquered challenges and accomplishments surrounding diversity,” said J. Manuel Acevedo, MSS director. "At the same time, we want them to envision the next quarter century with renewed commitment to the success of current and future generations of students.”

 

Other events and activities being discussed include a cultural art display in the CUB, a poster session highlighting WSU’s ethnic student organizations and a diversity conference. Acevedo is collaborating with WSU Performing Arts to bring diverse speakers to campus, as well.

 

Other WSU departments and community organizations with events that could become part of the celebration are encouraged to contact Acevedo at acevedo@wsu.edu. MSS plans to create an anniversary celebration calendar of events that will be available to the public at the beginning of fall semester.

 

More information will be available here as planning for the anniversary celebration progresses.

 

MSS has seen the number of students it serves grow exponentially during the past 25 years. When it was established in 1987, a total of 1,249 students enrolled at WSU who self-identified as a student of color. Today more than 4,900 multicultural undergraduate students are enrolled, comprising almost 22 percent of the student body.

While MSS offers services that many students of color find beneficial, its facilities and programs are available to and are utilized by students of all races and ethnicities. 

 

 

Contacts:
J. Manuel Acevedo, director of WSU Multicultural Student Services, 509-335-1071, acevedo@wsu.edu
Steve Nakata, communications, WSU Student Affairs and Enrollment, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu