Multi-Ethnic Graduation Celebration Plans Announced
Dawn J. Fraser is the featured
speaker for the 2015 Multiethnic
Commencement Celebration
at Saint Mary's College.Media Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579
April 29, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.) – Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce that humorist and storyteller Dawn J. Fraser is the keynote speaker at the 8th annual Multi-Ethnic Graduation Celebration on Thursday, May 14. Fraser will offer the multicultural members of the Class of 2015 her talk titled Beyond the Classroom: Your Story, Your Legacy. The event will be held at 6 p.m. in Rice Commons in the Student Center. While not open to the public, the news media is invited to cover the event.
“This event is an opportunity to bring a diverse group of people together to celebrate their many accomplishments and show them support,” said Gloria Jenkins, director of Multicultural Services. “We are delighted to have Dawn Fraser speak to our students. I am certain she will have an inspiring message for them.”
Fraser received her master's degree in public policy from Harvard University, where she was the recipient of the Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership due to her commitment to building community and serving as a role model for women aspiring to be leaders. She is an instructor with the storytelling organization "The Moth” and the host and producer of "Barbershop Stories," which features performers sharing true tales in NYC salons. She has spoken at notable events including TED@NYC, and her stories about growing up as a twin and a first-generation Trinidadian have been featured on shows such as the "Soundtrack Series," "Story Collider," and the "Unchained Tour."
The celebration will also include reflections from students Callie Brown ’15, president of Student Diversity Board, Aneth Batamuliza '15, a member of SDB, Dara Marquez ’15, president of the Society of Women Engineers, as well as alumna Martell Tardy, a multicultural member of the Class of 2008.
“'Celebrate' is the perfect word to describe this event,” said Tardy. “It is unique to be a person of diverse experience, and sometimes the challenge goes beyond academics. Learning to understand yourself and others while developing into strong young women is an out-of-classroom experience that needs to be celebrated as well.”
“In my reflection, I hope to touch on the progress Saint Mary's has made during my four years as a student regarding diversity and inclusion,” said Brown. “I believe Saint Mary’s is a diverse campus, however, this diversity is not always recognized or seen. This event will be a chance for the community to celebrate the diversity and accomplishments of our graduating seniors.”
The Office of Multicultural Services (OMA) and the SDB co-sponsor the Multi-Ethnic Graduation Celebration. OMA provides services and programs that address the academic and personal needs of the underrepresented students at the College while offering multicultural education opportunities for the entire campus community. SDB encompasses all multicultural clubs on campus, and strives to create awareness of diversity by educating, providing support, and celebrating differences within the Saint Mary's community.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. In the fall of 2015 Saint Mary’s College will begin to offer two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College’s mission is to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report.
~Maggie McLaughlin '16, media relations intern, wrote this press release.