Campus Climate Task Force Bios
Fall 2007

Denise Hayes – “I believe that DePauw University is a unique place, filled with bright, energetic students who desire to make a difference in the world. Enhancing this environment by increasing the understanding, representation, and influence of diversity better prepares students for our global world. Serving on this Task Force is one example of my commitment to insure that diversity remains a priority for our campus.”

Neal Abraham - Because the quality of DePauw's educational environment critically depends on a wide diversity of people, ideas, and experiences, I believe we will not achieve our greatest potential without creating a campus and community climate that is supportive of that diversity. I look forward working with the Task Force to learn ways to improve our recruiting and to find ways to strengthen the welcoming aspects of our community and diminish the less welcoming aspects.

Raymonda Burgman – “I am a member of the task force because I care about the DePauw University community. How a community treats its members speaks to the overall health and future growth of the community. At DePauw University, for the last 20 years, diversity loomed large on the agenda of the administration. It is important to see how fruitful those efforts have been and how we as a campus can improve on those efforts. As a faculty member and administrator, I want to be in an environment that welcomes and nurtures each campus citizen to the point where she can do and be her best.”

Bruce Burking – “I choose to serve on the committee, because, as a human resources professional, I want to do whatever I can to improve the systems and environment in the organization I work for.”

Doug Cox - Given my role in Public Safety I often see the day-to-day complexities and challenges people of color face on our campus and in our broader Greencastle community. I am often on the front line of investigating bias related incidents as well as helping address such through awareness, education, and enforcement. I am pleased to serve on what I consider a most important task force and opportunity to further research and improve our campus and community climate.

Gregory Dillon – “My interest in the work of the Task Force is to try and make DePauw a more welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, socio-economic status, gender or sexual orientation. The Task Force does not cover all these areas but making our campus more welcoming of people of color is a big part of what I hope we can do. I am disturbed that people have very different experiences as faculty, staff, or students at DePauw based on their race or ethnicity. My spirituality is important to me and working for justice in this way is part of how I express that spirituality.”

Chloie Favinger - I chose to participate in the task force, because I think it is really important for all students to feel welcome, no matter what their color. DePauw is doing a great thing by looking into this and I want to do whatever I can to help.

Lennie Foy – I am willing to serve on the task force and continue growth of our university initiatives, providing greater inclusion and a healthier environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

Mac Dixon-Fyle – “This is our chance to seal in the not inconsiderable gains of the Bottoms presidency, and unveil a road-map that will guide our new president in the consolidation of minority concerns as we move into another phase of DePauw’s dynamic history.”

Bridget Gourley – “I have always cared deeply that our campus environment be welcoming to everyone so when asked to serve on a task force that was looking at the status of campus climate I was willing to make time to study this issue. My experience developing our women in science program makes this a natural fit with my interests.”

Jana Grimes – “This project allows me an opportunity to further express my commitment to diversity and convey the benefits that a diverse environment can bring to individuals and a community as a whole.”

Michael Manuel – “the Campus Climate Task Force aims to evaluate the many dynamics of difference on DePauw’s campus. As a constant attempt to support the experiences many different identities, the task force strategically identifies areas for future improvement. The task force proves a poignant testament to DePauw’s strong dedication to offering the best opportunities for its students. Our understanding and commitment is what makes us unique: we consider our role in a larger social context. That is, the DePauw student body, faculty and staff values community improvements, as they transcend a deeper dedication to humanity abroad.”

Matthew Oware – "I am on the task force because I want to address how DePauw, as an institution, can help retain, recruit and improve the quality of life for minority students, faculty, and staff."

Clarissa Peterson – "I believe that it is my duty to help the University become a leader in diversifying higher education. If I want DePauw to take diversity seriously, I must be willing to do all that I can to make sure that diversity is not just a goal, but a reality."