WVU at Parkersburg Social Justice Program receives Diversity for Equity grant CONTACT: Debbie Richards, special assistant to the president for policy and social justice, 304-424-8201 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Parkersburg, W.Va. 9/28/11 – West Virginia University at Parkersburg recently received $7,840 from the WV Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. The grant will support three social justice programs to be sponsored by the college during the 2011-2012 academic year. This is the first year for the state’s higher education Diversity for Equity grant program, replacing its former Social Justice Initiative grant program. The grant funding will support nearly half of the cost of a major outreach project in observance of Disability History Week allowing WVU Parkersburg to sponsor multiple presentations by nationally known motivational speaker and author Jerry Traylor at various venues in the college’s service region. A resident of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and former resident of Parkersburg, Traylor was born with cerebral palsy, and his mobility depends upon the use of crutches. Despite his mobility challenges, he has accomplished amazing feats, including his 3,528 mile jog across America. He is the author of “Live CAREfully: The Importance of Caring in a Life of Significance.” Traylor will speak at WVU Parkersburg’s main campus on Monday, Oct. 17 and at the Jackson County Center on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Additional presentations are scheduled in Wood, Jackson, Ritchie, Pleasants and Kanawha Counties. In addition to the Diversity for Equity grant funding, financial support for this project is pending from several other sources including the WVU at Parkersburg Foundation, Inc., Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College, and an Education Partnerships Grant from the Office of the Secretary of Arts and Education. The Diversity for Equity grant will also provide partial funding for two programs to be scheduled for the spring, including: “Vincent Who?” – WVU Parkersburg will host a screening of this 40-minute documentary film about the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin. The film’s producer and co-director, Curtis Chin, will conduct a post-screening discussion. Jessica Pettitt – WVU Parkersburg will invite professionals from West Virginia public colleges and universities to hear this diversity educator of Eureka, Calif. In her presentation, “If Not Us, Then Who? Let’s Rise,” she will address the challenge of achieving diversity for equity at public colleges and universities. AAccording to Debbie Richards, special assistant to the president for policy and social justice at WVU Parkersburg, and member of the statewide Diversity Council, the guiding principles for the state higher education Diversity for Equity grant program are: Expectation of inclusion; Students must be prepared to live and work in a diverse world; Education is essential; Investment is necessary; Collaboration is paramount. For additional information, contact:br /> Katie Wootton WVU Parkersburg Director of Marketing and Communications 304-424-8203 E-mail Recent Releases News Archive