The
days
of events
the URI
people
1998. On
during September,
community
Vice President 150
of the URI Multicultural Center
opening
o
attended
f Student
witnessed the
formally
celebrated
Thursday, September 17, talent show emceed
all-campus
an
was
by
some
by
three
250 members of
Dr. John H.
McCray Jr.,
Affairs, and Gabriel Green, '99. On Friday, September 18,
opening
ceremony and hstened to
speeches by
over
President Robert
Carothers; Vice President McCray; Philip Kydd, President of the Alumni Association; Sylvia
Spears Peters, President;
Interim Affinnative Action
Dr. Ella
Officer; Daryl Finizio, Student Government
Sekatou, Elder of the Narragansett Nation; and Melvin Wade, Director of
the Multicultural Center. Graduate Students, Carol URI
Diversity Quilt.
Conceived
by Crosby
tion, the Diversity Quilt consists of
pared by
members of the URI
supporters of the campaign
taped recounting
to
of the last
overflow crowd attended the
and Pam
to the Center's
constructed from
establish the Multicultural Center
thirty
years of activism at URI. On
gala banquet
permanent over
art
collec
1 50 blocks pre
participated
in
a
leading
video
Saturday, September 19,
an
and cheered the induction into the Center's Hall
Special Programs
Rights Organization;
Downey unveiled the
Several alumni and
and their children.
Coachman, the late Dr. George Wiley,
the National Welfare
gift
panels
community
of Fame of Leo Di Maio, Director of Noreen
nine
as a
Crosby
a
for Talent
nationally
Development; the late
Dr.
renowned activist and founder of
and Dr. Jose Gonzalez, Director of
Diversity
Programs for the Providence Public Schools, The Gala
of new
the
opening
focused attention
University's commitment
the Multicultural Center
on
to an open
inclusive
as a
visible
symbol
leaming community. Occupying
a
$1.5 million, free standing building located in the heart of the URI campus, the
Multicultural Center is the most elaborate features
kitchen;
multipurpose
a a
computer classroom;
workspace;
a
encompassed center
room
lounge;
a
within its
suite of
facility of its type
a
commercial
conference room-classroom;
a
student
professional
offices with
approximately 10,000
required leadership
a
reception
square feet. The
The Center
England.
maple floors;
with hardwood a
in New
quality
organization
area; and
campaign
to
and support from every segment of the campus
a
lobby,
complete
the
community-
students, faculty, administration, staff, the Board of Governors, alumni, parents, and the citizens of Rhode Island.
Ultimately,
the
campaign spanned
27 years. Student 1
It*.'
101