Last updated:
July 3, 2003
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Opening Remarks:
Martha Gilliland, Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City
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“Latinos are clearly vital to the social and economic progress of this
state, and we must have a hugely progressive agenda: To educate mainstream
America, to support and drive
the economic progress of the state.,” Dr. Gilliland told the diverse crowd of
Cambio de Colores attendees at the opening session on Wednesday,
March 12. “You are mainstream Missouri, and we exist to support a program of
which you are a vital key.”
Meeting the needs of the rapidly growing Latino population is part of
the University’s mission as a land-grant institution, she said, echoing
the previous comments of University Presdident Elson Floyd. “We don’t
have nearly enough representation, but we have things underway, and we
can’t do it without you.”
Gilliland said that in spite of the hard economic times of the past
two years, the UMKC campus has added money to diversity programs, citing
the “Diversity in Action” plan.
She also emphasized the importance of each one of us working to create
a positive environment for Latinos and other minorities by recognizing
and acknowledging our personal biases.
“It’s not possible to grow up in this country without them,” she said. “The
important thing is for you to take personal responsibility for creative
change, and always to keep getting better and better.”
The university should be an important part of that process, she said.
“We want to be looked to as a source of ideas and inspiration.”
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