Building a united community topic of WSU workshop

International consultant, author and playwright Deryl G. Hunt will speak at Washington State University on Friday (April 15) on the subject “From Diversity to Unity to Community.”

The talk will be held from 1-3 p.m. in the Compton Union Building Auditorium on the Pullman campus.

Hunt is known for his ability to motivate people to work together with the goal of forming a united community.

Based in Florida, Hunt is the chief executive officer of Inclusive Community Building Productions Inc. and is a consultant to the Margaret McDonald Public Management and Administration Centre in Nassau, Bahamas.He is also an adjunct professor at Florida Memorial University, Miami. It was during his tenure as an administrator at Florida International University that he developed the Ellison Executive Mentoring and Inclusive Community Building Model.

Hunt attended the International Globalization, Diversity and Education Conference at WSU in March. He said he was struck by the sincerity and enthusiasm for diversity issues displayed by several students and staff members he met during his visit and looks forward to returning to Pullman for deeper discussions surrounding community building.

Event organizer and president of the WSU Graduate and Professional Student Association DaVina Hoyt said the talk comes at a perfect time. “As a university community, we have been through a lot of racial tension in recent months. I believe Dr. Hunt will help us begin the healing process.”

Hunt said, “My objective is unity. The focus is getting estranged parties to agree on an issue, however small. With the initial agreement, the task is to work toward greater agreement.”

Hunt received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Fort Valley State College, Georgia. He completed a doctorate in 1972 at the University of Pittsburgh where he studied urban governance and public administration.

This workshop is sponsored by Graduate Educators Mentoring and is supported by the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice President for Equity and Diversity, Office of Student Affairs, WSU Faculty Senate, WSU Athletics, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the University of Idaho School of Law. It is part of UnCelebrate Week, an annual event organized by students to bring awareness of diversity issues.

Also scheduled as part of the Uncelebrate Week is the workshop “Bridging the Gap: Building a Stronger Intercultural Community Through Student Center Coalition.” A panel discussion will focus on increasing communication and coordination among the many different student centers on campus. This workshop is scheduled for 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 14 in the CUB Lair.