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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