The Chronicle Franklin Center opens with fanfare By MELISSA LAN The Chronicle
All it took was a man of slight build, gray hair and a kind face to induce comedian Bill Cosby, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon to come to Duke. James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History and civil rights activist John Hope Franklin drew a Who’s Who list of friends, family and admirers to campus last weekend for the opening of the John Hope Franklin Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies. “Dr. Franklin stood like a light for a century, so it seems, helping illuminate the darkness,” said Jackson, a former student of Franklin’s at the Chicago Theological Seminary in 1964. The famous student praised his renowned
teacher, explaining that while athletic heroes were common, Franklin was unique as a historian hero. “Every night there’s another champion. Champions get put on people’s shoulders, but heroes, when they win, put people on their shoulders.” He smiled. “America is on John Hope Franklin’s shoulders.... I’m glad Duke is going to immortalize his works.” Franklin was a winner of the Presidential Medal ofFreedom in 1995, was chair of the President’s Initiative on Race in 1997, and wrote “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of AfricanAmericans” in 1994. He was also on the research team that helped develop the NAACP’s brief for the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of
PRESIDENT NAN KEOHANE (above) looks on as John Hope Franklin cuts the ribbon to open the center named after him. At left, jazz singer Nnenna Freelon performs at Thursday night’s celebratory dinner. Bill Cosby (far left) sported a new Duke jacket at the dinner, where he engaged the audience with stories of his childhood and praise for Franklin.
Education.
The aim of the center is to connect scholars across academic disciplines and engage in research and teaching of issues of global impact. In his speech, Franklin asked, “Why should there be any hard and fast boundaries? Shouldn’t we pursue where truth leads? We are seeking to establish interdisciplinary See FRANKLIN CENTER on page 4 �
OIE begins making changes suggested by review By STEVEN WRIGHT The Chronicle
After a comprehensive internal review and a
change in leadership at the Office of Institutional Equity, administrators are beginning to address concerns that the University fails to make the community aware of their efforts to encourage diversity and
inclusiveness.
In her first semester at the University, Sally Dickson, vice president for institutional equity, has begun to form partnerships with various University departments and publicize the function of OIE. OIE officials have selected Human Resources as
their first developmental partner. Together the two de-
partments are hoping to update a series of programs that focus on internal mobility and recruitment. “Clearly one of our prime interests is how we help people develop and prepare for personal growth,” said Clint Davidson, vice president for human resources. “We need to collaborate with OIE to create programs that will accomplish these goals.”
Administrators hope that ultimately, these courses will provide employees with skills that will allow them to earn promotions as they become available. Dickson also hopes to take better advantage of the office’s role in teaching respect and tolerance. Dickson said training will become more focused on specific topics such as gay and Latino issues. “Formal training, especially of supervisors, is especially important in improving the climate for employees in all parts of the campus; people need to have a better understanding of cultural differences and how to manage in an institution where diversity is a high priority; this is not just a matter of making people aware of the goals, but of helping them learn and equity. to inclusiveness commitment and engaging how to achieve them,” President Nan Keohane wrote “There is no question that training Dickson in an e-mail. our said. goals,” people is an integral part of of Dickson also plans to begin a publicity campaign a number already has produced collaboration The lunch-time to make the University more aware of OlE’s purpose. informal initiatives, including a learning In develop now to a month, the office will begin mailing brochures trying are series. OIE and HR officials a series of literacy, general education diploma, and and fliers to the University community. See OIE on page 5 � English as a second language courses.
The changes come over a year since an internal assessment of OIE argued that while senior administrators are committed to equity and inclusivity, they had not made strong efforts to make their commitment known to the University community. Furthermore, the report said, OIE could do a better job of coordinating the University’s inclusiveness goals. Myrna Adams, who headed OIE since its inception in 1995, stepped down from the vice presidency last summer, when her term ended. Dickson joined the administration in September. Administrators hope that by focusing more on training they can begin to prove to employees their
preps for big anniversary, Ammons approved as NCCU chancellor, page 3 � Divinity School
page
3