Northwestern College | Classic magazine - Winter 2004-05 - Vol. 76 ...

NWC happeningsNorthwestern ClassicCampusnewsNWC looks for ways to increase ethnicdiversity and address racismOnce a month on aWednesday evening, a groupof Northwestern faculty andstaff gathers to discuss a bookthey are reading about evangelicalreligion and racism.Another group is working toassess and improve the campus’ethnic diversity. And forthe next three years, Dr.Brenda Salter-McNeil, anAfrican-American womancalled to the ministry of racialreconciliation, will work withthe college to facilitate itsongoing efforts in this area.The impetus for theseactivities comes from bothPresident Bruce Murphyand members of the NWCcommunity.“This has been a missionof the school for a very longtime,” says Dr. Di Murphy,who co-chairs the newlyformed Multi-Ethnic ResourceTeam. The 14-member committee—composedof faculty,students and staff—is conductinga campuswide selfstudyto compile informationon demographics, activities,policies and procedures, attitudes,and educational practicesrelated to racial diversity.“There are many peopleat Northwestern already committedto these goals,” shesays. “The team will identifythe college’s strengths andweaknesses so we can broadenour understanding anddeepen our commitment tothese issues.”A few years ago, afterattending a seminar abouthow to enhance the successof minority students andfaculty, President Murphyexpanded staffing in the internationaland multiculturalaffairs office from two parttimeto more than two fulltimepositions.Northwestern’s LillyGrant is furthering thoseefforts. Along with Salter-McNeil’s work at the college,the grant funded travel toChicago for 12 faculty andA medieval celebrationstaff to participate in a multiethnicexchange.“We were able to meetwith colleagues of color forserious conversation about theexperience of being a personof color in a primarily whiteeducational institution,” saysDr. Keith Anderson, directorof the Lilly Grant. “It wasa very powerful time forour group.”That experience—andconversations with Salter-McNeil—led to the formationof the reading group this fall.Prior to the Chicago workshop,participants readDivided by Faith: EvangelicalReligion and the Problem ofRace in America.“At the workshop, wetalked about a whole rangeof issues addressing raceand racism in an academiccommunity,” says Dr. DougCarlson, associate dean formulticultural and off-campusprograms. “Through thereading group, we want toNorthwestern College`twÜ|ztÄ W|ÇÇxÜáJan. 20-22, 7 p.m.Allen Black Box TheatreDeWitt Theatre Arts CenterTake a journey to Renaissance times witha delicious meal, festive music and entertainmentby the Northwestern College HeritageSingers, and delightful fellowship.Reserved tickets required; call the musicdepartment at 712-707-7062.increase our awareness ofthese issues and our sensitivity,and we want that to filterthrough our community.”The experience of JolynnTonsfeldt, a member of theeducation faculty and anotherparticipant in the readinggroup, is one example ofhow that is happening. She’staking the group’s conversationsabout Divided by Faithand sharing them withher students.▼“Through the readinggroup, we want toincrease our awarenessof these issues and oursensitivity, and we wantthat to filter through ourcommunity.”▲“It put a finger on a wayI had been teaching,” she saysabout the book. “I realized I’min that white mode of teachingthat’s more individualistic—thinkingif everyonefixed his or her little part,that would solve the problemof racism. We can work onourselves, but we forget towork on the system, and it issystems that continue tooppress people.“It’s important we don’tjust focus on the content ofthe book, but that we personalizeit,” adds Tonsfeldt. “I’mhoping we’ll look at our ownsystems here on campus, andthen be willing to go out inthe community.”7 ▲ Winter 2004-05