RIPON COLLEGES MULTI-CULTURAL NEWSLETTER FALL 2011

HEDIT Conference: Engaging Multiple Perspectives

n Wednesday, Oct. 5 the second diversity and student leadership conference sponsored by the Higher Education Diversity Initiative Team (HEDIT) was hosted at Marian University. HEDIT of which Ripon College belongs has sponsored an event on a member institution campus since the fall of 2009. Last year the Diversity Matters Now program was held in Great Hall at Ripon College. Approximately 250 people attended this years event. The 2011 conference brought together experts on the subjects of diversity and inclusion, religion and work place relations from across the state. Nationally renowned keynote speakers Victor Lewis and Dr. Peggy McIntosh were also featured. The day consisted of break-out sessions in the morning and afternoon as well as a presentation from the keynotes and a wrap-up program in the afternoon. The conference began with a welcome from the President of Marian University, Dr. Steven DiSalvo before participants made their way to the morning breakout sessions. A highlight of the days events was a religious diversity panel hosted by Ripon Colleges Dr. Brian Smith. Smith organized a group of representatives

From left to write, Lila Sultan, Dulce Andrade, Diakeshaye Murphy Gunnels, Dr. Vanatta Ford. Having a great time at the HEDIT conference.

from a variety of religions to discuss violence, peace and reconciliation. The panel included current student Sneha Thapa and Ripon College alum Jerry Waukau. At the conclusion of the presentation audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the panel members and engage the audience in discussion. Other workshops included discussions on how to appropriately and effectively respond to prejudice led by UW Fond du Lac, Campus Dean Dr. John Short, and a workshop focused on creating inclusive workplace cultures led by Diana Tscheschlok. Tom Gill of Milwaukee led a drum circle program in the afternoon and the morning sessions and the residence life staff of Marian University facilitated the Tunnel of Oppression program throughout the day. Keynotes Dr. Peggy McIntosh and Victor Lewis both led breakout sessions of From left to write Sneha Thapa and Jerry Waukau, who their own before addressing
participated on the religious diversity panel.

the large group at 1:00pm. During their presentation McIntosh and Lewis touched on their own work as diversity educators. Lewis spoke about his role in the race relations documentary The Color of Fear and McIntosh spoke about her essay White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack. Organizers of the conference were happy with the event and the participant feedback was very positive. Students from all four campuses were represented as well as community members and high school students from across the county. The success of the day is due almost entirely to the efforts of the volunteers that gave up their time to facilitate workshops and assist behind the scenes throughout the day. The Higher Education Diversity Initiative Team would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Brian Smith, Sneha Thapa, Kristen Pearson and Christopher Stindt for offering their time to assist with the event. The team would also like to thank President Joyce for his ongoing support of this important initiative.

International Student Aims to Help at Computer Science Competition

A team of Ripon College students are preparing to test their knowledge of math and computer science against some of the best students in the Midwest at the annual ACM Computer Science Competition. Ripons team have named themselves Take a nap. The group consists of five students majoring in either math or computer science. During the competition the students will be presented with a series of math based problems that they must attempt to solve as a team. The group will be faced with seven or eight problems that they will have to solve within five hours. One of the students representing Ripon is Phy Phyo Muang from Myanmar. Im excited to compete in this competition, said Maung. Maung is one of four students currently attending Ripon College from Myanmar. He said he learned about Ripon College while visiting an American library in his home country. He said that the library provided information about students studying in the U.S. He said that he read that Lynn Whut Hmone was studying at Ripon College and so he decided to try and learn more about studying in the U.S. and Ripon College. In the fall of 2009 Maung arrived at Ripon College and made it his home. He is double majoring in mathematics and computer science and after attending graduate school hopes to work in a related field.

Adam Sellner and Pye Phyo Maung at the 2010 programming contest.

When asked about his experience at Ripon, Maung describes it as everything he had hoped for, and when asked about how he thinks his team will do in the competition he said I dont expect to win, but it will be fun working with the team.

LGBT History Month Brings Hate Crimes Expert to Campus

As part of Ripon Colleges LGBT History month the Network and SMACs contemporary issues partnered to bring hate crimes expert Jack Levin to campus. Levin is the director of the Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict at Northeastern University. Levin has spent the last 25 years studying and profiling serial killers and the motivation behind hate crimes. The LGBT History Month planning committee decided to bring Levin to campus as he offered an interesting perspective on violent crime. Levins presentation did not focus solely on hate crimes affecting the gay community, but he included these kinds of crimes in his analysis of hate crimes generally. Levin spoke to the audience about some of the most heavily publicized hates crimes over the last twenty years and provided the audience with his opinions about why the perpetrators were motivated to act the way they did. At the conclusion of the presentation Levin shared Dr. Jack Levin advice about how to best address hate crimes at all levels. He emphasized the importance of addressing issues as they occur regardless of their perceived severity. Levin fielded questions from the audience before signing a copy of his book Hate Crimes: The Rising Tide of Bigotry and Blood Shed and presenting it to representatives from the Network. 2 Multi-Cultural Newsletter

In & Out of Classroom: How Ripon College Has Impacted a Student

I will cherish all the memories and friendships I have developed here at Ripon, says Nyi Nyi Aung, reminiscing about the road that he will remember for life. After walking almost a four-year path, the international student from Myanmar has tied a strong knot between himself and Ripon College. Memories are collected; friendships are built; and Aung is ready to take the next step in his life. With the experiences never to be forgotten, the physics Nyi Nyi Aung major has become a role model for other Myanmar students considering overseas education. I always want to explore new things. Ripon has given me a lot of opportunities to explore. I participate in the ELP [Ethical Leadership Program], and SIFE, in addition to my main focus of Physics. After participating in the ELP, I find myself aware of ethical issues and I am always prepared to make an ethical decision, says Aung. Even with his busy schedule, he has learned to utilize his time. He is an employee of both the Fitness Center and the library and he still manages to find time for extracurricular activities like helping out with the Cultural Diversity Club and spending time with his host family. Even though he has spent years in Ripon, winter still challenges him. Coping with the weather which is very different from his home country is something that he has yet to get used to. The cold weather has been taking me by surprise since I came here. I feel like I still need time to get used to it, says Aung. Among all the people that Aung has met since his arrival at Ripon, he expresses how he admires the enthusiasm of his Physics professors, especially Professor Desotell. As a physics student, I have an opportunity to work closely with Professor Desotell. I am really impressed with her enthusiasm for teaching. I genuinely value the knowledge gained from my hands-on experience with her. She is the kind of professor I really hope to work with when I go to graduate school, says Aung. With only one semester remaining, Aung reflects on his experience at Ripon, I am really excited about graduating. It feels like all those four years have passed by really fast. I will cherish all the memories and friendships I have developed here at Ripon. I will come visit this caring community definitely. By Honey Zaw

Ripon Colleges Cultural Week

Some exciting events have been occurring across campus over the last few weeks, more are on the way. For the first time all of the colleges cultural groups have collaborated to sponsor the very first Cultural Week at Ripon College. The Cultural Week idea was one that the leaders of the Cultural Diversity Club and the Black Student Union had been toying with for a few semesters. The week finally took shape this semester thanks to the efforts of the CDC President Mary Hampton and Vice President Ariel Beiner. Hampton and Biener worked hard to enlist the help and support of the members of the other cultural groups. Ripon Colleges cultural organizations have a proud history of supporting each other but this is the first time that all the groups worked together to plan an event. Cultural Week will take place from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19.

Cultural Week Schedule Sunday, Nov.13 Monday, Nov.14 Tuesday, Nov. 15 Wednesday, Nov. 16 Friday, Nov. 18 Saturday, Nov. 19

Black Student Union Soul Food (Great Hall, 5pm) Blue Mountain Project Presentation (Commons, 5pm) Salsa lessons with Rumba (Great Hall, 7pm) Hablamos, Movie Night (Bear Auditorium, 7pm) The Network, Pizza Party (Johnson Hall, Main Lounge, 7pm) Union Party (The Pub, 9pm)

CULTURAL CONNECTION

FALL 2011

From China to Ripon: Making Ripon Home

Leaving home is difficult for any college student. Imagine your home is not just 45 minutes or three hours away; imagine yourself flying from another continent to pursue your education. Imagine leaving your family and friends only to arrive at a place where nights in your home country are mornings in your new country. Imagine how it must feel and the thoughts that would be going through your mind. An international student from China, Ray Lee had lots of confusing thoughts as the van drove from the airport in Milwaukee to Ripon College this past August. As the van driving Lee arrived at the College he said two thoughts crossed his mind: small and awesome. His questions of how he would cope with his new environment disappeared when he actually arrived here. The environment perfectly matched his expectation. I wanted to go to a small college because I can focus on my study in a small studying environment. People from here are just friendly and easy to Ray Lee make friends with, said Lee. Lee chose Ripon College after receiving a recommendation from a teacher in China. He is planning on majoring in Economics and Business Management. For a student who just wants to focus on study and avoid distraction, Lee feels as though Ripon was the perfect choice. He said that he loves Ripon for some of the reasons that some students dont. He said that having fewer recreational opportunities around campus makes it easier for him to focus on his studies Not only is he doing well in his unexpectedly difficult classes, but he also is involved in variety of extracurricular activities. He is now an active member of the Drumline and Cultural Diversity Clubs. In addition, he is enjoying his first experience living in a Residence Hall. My roommate is very good and the residence halls are better than I expected. Even though Lee is enjoying his experience in Ripon, like many international students there is one thing from home he still longs for. I miss food from home, spicy and hot Chinese food. By Honey Zaw

Multi-Cultural Newsletter