|
OEOD Holds the 10th Annual
Diversity Development Program Graduation
On May 28, 2008, the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD) held its 10th annual Diversity Development Program (DDP) graduation ceremony for the class of 2008 at the Palo Verde Clubhouse. Chancellor Michael Drake recognized the thirty four program participants and presented them with graduation certificates.
In his keynote address, Chancellor Drake congratulated the graduates for their hard work saying that by successfully completing this course, they have become ambassadors for diversity on campus and contributed to UC Irvine's overall mission of shaping the future.
 Chancellor Drake with DDP graduate Paul Henisey, UCI Chief of Police.
Kirsten Quanbeck, Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor and Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Director thanked every one for attending the ceremony and said that she was "especially appreciative of the supervisors who have supported each one of the DDP graduates and given them an opportunity to explore what diversity means."
 Nikishna Polequaptewa, Director of the American Indian Resource Program at UCI,
who played Native American flute music at the graduation ceremony.
Nikishna Polequaptewa, Director of the American Indian Resource Program at UCI, played Native American flute music as graduates and guests enjoyed a lunch that consisted of a variety of international cuisines.
The theme of this year's graduation was "Diversity Rocks" and the DDP participants included a cross-section of campus staff, supervisors and faculty. Maria Rubio, from the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, said that the program was "very interesting, informative, and a great opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people across campus." "I have been inspired by many of the instructors and my fellow classmates. It has been a great way to make some new friends," said Alicia Hays of Palo Verde Housing.
 Diversity Development Program Graduates
The 2008 DDP program featured a variety of speakers with significant insights and experience dealing with diversity matters, including Professor Doug Haynes, Professor Linda Trinh Vo, Humanities Dean Vicki Ruiz, and Rusty Kennedy, Executive Director of the Orange County Human Relations Commission.
Established in 1999, the five-month program is offered each year by the OEOD and concludes with a graduation celebration. As of this year, more than three hundred participants have participated in the five-month program that explored a variety of topics such as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity and disabilities.
|
