Author Archives: Iris Outlaw

Solidarity for Racial Justice & Hispanic Heritage Month

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Honoring and respecting humanity is integral to living the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross and our faith. With the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designating Friday, September 9th as a Day of Prayer for peace, the Center for Social Concerns and Multicultural Student Programs and Services called for the Notre Dame Community and Nevada fans to join us in standing for Solidarity for Racial Justice.  More than one hundred and seven faculty, alumni, administrators, graduate and undergraduate students and campus visitors processed from Geddes Hall to the Jesus statute with the inscription “Come to Me” ending at Father Sorin’s statute.  Victims of the senseless violence that has plagued our Nation over the past two years were lamented throughout the thirty minute service. Thank you to those who joined our Solidarity for Racial Justice campaign. During the remainder of the fall semester, you are invited to attend events sponsored by numerous departments in support of the campaign. The next is the Book Club, where we will read Citizen by Claudia Rankine.  If you are interested in join the club, contact Kyle Lantz at the Center for Social Concerns. You should note that Ms. Rankine is scheduled to visit campus January 2017.

 

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Thank you to the companies, Notre Dame Departments and DC of ND clubs for participating in the 2016 MSPS Picnic. The afternoon was filled with good music, performances and meeting new friends and connecting with old ones. Congratulations to the winners of the numerous door prizes provided by PWC, Accenture, and KPMG.

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On September 21st MSPS’ first Hispanic Heritage event, the Interrace Forum, focused on Latinas in the Media: Stereotypes and Critiques. The attendees will be challenged to think more critically about the messages sent by media.  The first event of the MLK Study of Race Series is the Diane Guerrero Lecture. Ms. Guerrero, actress in Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, will talk about her immigration reform advocacy work and growing up with undocumented and later deported parents. Please welcome Ms. Guerrero at 7:00 p.m. in DeBartolo 102 on September 26. As part of our Diversity in the Arts initiative, MSPS is sponsoring a dinner and theater trip on November 11 to see Hamilton in Chicago. Students will be eligible to enter the lottery to purchase tickets by attending designated events. Ms. Guerrero’ lecture is the first opportunity, the second will be October 10 at the lecture featuring Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, professor and director of the Center for Higher Education Enterprise at the Ohio State University.  Other opportunities will be noted in the MSPS newsletter. Tickets will only be sold via the lottery process.   If you have any questions, please feel to contact the office by emailing: msps@nd.edu or calling 574-631-6841.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.

Peace,

Iris Outlaw ` 90 MSA

Director

Welcome Class of 2020 and Returning Students

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Vigil Signs

The end of summer vacation is rapidly approaching. With that comes apprehension on the 2016 -2017 campus environment.  How will the political landscape, violence erupting throughout the country and perspective of law enforcement affect your experience at Notre Dame?  Your ideologies and arrival will determine how you and your peers will react. We, Multicultural Student Programs and Services in collaboration with the Center for Social Concerns and Notre Dame Security Police, held vigils and a march beginning mid-July. These events were to create space for people in our community to:   

  • Stand against police brutality, racial injustice, systemic oppression and all forms of violence
  • Show up for racial justice, SHALOM, care for ALL CREATION, human dignity, solidarity, the common good, the end of systemic oppression, and LOVE
  • Join together in communal lament to share our grief and our hope together and move forward as one

More than one hundred Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, administrators and their family members participated. These align with three of the Holy Cross Pillars: Mind – Seeking to understand; Heart – Rooting choices in values; and Family – Embracing community.   The continual dialogue has resulted in an action plan for those who want to join the conversation about solidarity dignity, and the ending of systemic oppression.  Watch for announcements of upcoming events advertised through various media.

First Year students, I strongly encourage you to participate in the various Welcome Weekend Events (https://welcomeweekend.nd.edu/schedules/). You will observe a sense of the culture of Our Lady’s University and the journey you are embarking on for the next four years. Opportunities to consider during your tenure will also be shared in numerous events. At the Multicultural Reception on Saturday, August 20 6:00 p.m. in the Leighton Hall, Justin Ruiz, professor in American Studies, students and their  mentors will talk about expectations, experiences available, and how to maximize your time at Notre Dame while leaving your legacy.

Yvette R  Students, please welcome Yvette Rodriguez, MSPS Assistant Director for Programming to ND.  Yvette joined the MSPS Team in July. She has been working feverishly preparing for the MSPS Leadership Summit and securing speakers for the 2016 – 2017 MSPS MLK Study of Race Series. We have selected the play for the Diversity of the Arts event. The unveiling of the play will occur in September. Watch the MSPS newsletter for the announcement. Limited tickets are available.

Please mark your calendar for the Welcome Back Picnic on September 13, at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The first Interrace Forum will be on September 21 5:30 p.m. in the McNeill Room.  In respect of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will discuss Latinas in the Media.  As a hint, this alludes to our speaker who will join us the following week.

Campus Ministry is hosting their Multicultural First Year Retreats beginning the weekend of August 27 – 28 and September 3 -4.  Visit their website for more information http://campusministry.nd.edu/undergraduate-resources/multi-cultural-resources/retreats/.

If you have questions about these events or information shared, please email: msps@nd.edu.

Have a Blessed 2016 – 2017 Academic Year and Safe Travels,

Peace,

Iris L. Outlaw

Ms. Iris Outlaw, `90 MSA

Director

Spring Semester Comes to an End

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2016 Nidia and Luis FragaThe spring semester has been exciting and exhilarating.  It began with a two- week celebration highlighting the morphing of the civil rights movement from 1960 to 2016. Multicultural Student Programs and Services’ Interrace Forum and Africana Studies and Institute for Latino Studies luncheon covered the various components of the civil rights movements.  MSPS compared the 60’s efforts led by Dr. King to the Black Lives Movement, where Africana Studies and ILS did a comparison of the Black and Brown movements. They also discussed possible collaborations.  The Fr. Hesburgh and Dr. King mosaic project featured in LaFortune Student Center was a effort between students, faculty, administrators and staff representing the joining of two men committed to the betterment of society.  Thank you to our co-sponsors and Notre Dame Community members, who worked tirelessly to send the message that Our Lady’s University aspires to be a place that is welcoming to all and a place where civil discourse is appreciated.  This is another form of intellectual growth for all who are “Under The Dome.”

Throughout the remainder of the spring, Dr. Shannon Dee Williams, professor of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville revealed the history of blacks within the Catholic Church as the keynote for Black History Month. She shared the struggles and successes of nuns and priests. As part of the Asian Heritage Month, Jennifer 8 Lee, former New York Times journalist, shared the history of Fortune Cookies and Asian Cuisine. The misinformation and assumption of what is Chinese food was entertaining and educational.

The year ended with many of our students being recognized for their contributions to the Notre Dame Community. Congratulations to Hesburgh Award Winner – Preston Igwe `16 and the other Student Award recipients: Ray `Von Jones `16, Chizo Ekechukwu `16, and Leana Jonassaint `16.

2016 Student Leadership Awards      2016 Gaby Mercurio

 

The academic year ended with MSPS sponsoring recognition ceremonies acknowledging the academic achievements of two hundred and fifteen MSPS constituents during Commencement Weekend. At the Africana Ceremony, Arienne Thompson Ploude `04 addressed the graduates on their theme “We Did It All” realizing the pitfalls and successes that they will experience as their life journey continues. Latin Honors Cum Lande recipients: Arlia Delphonse – Japanese & Gender Studies Major; Obiageliaku Ekwueme – Psychology & Pre-Health; Adam Henderson – Political Science; Francesca Simon – Political Science & Africana Studies; Dina Yared – Political Science & Spanish were presented with a gift from MSPS as a result of their achievement.  During the Asian and Pacific Islander Ceremony, API Alumni Chair Andrew Mascarenhas ’03 shared his life’s journey and challenged the graduates to remain open to what life has in store for them. The API Board gave their 2016 Distinguished Student Awards to Crystal Chen – Goodspeed `16; Michael Dinh `16, Mike Lin `16, Khanh Mai `16, Gaby Mercurio `16, Sneha Modi `16, Dong Gue On `16, Luning Selina Wang `16 and Hansel Weihs `16.  These students were selected because they demonstrated outstanding leadership and remarkable commitment to the Asian American community throughout their tenure at Notre Dame.  Thank you to Dr. Laura Murillo, speaker for the Latino Recognition Ceremony, Elaine DeBassige `92 and 2016 Honorary Doctorate recipients Pauline Yu and Arturo Sandoval for gracing the graduates with words of inspiration.  Also, I want to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the faculty, administrators, staff and alumni, who served in various capacities to ensure this was a memorable weekend for our graduates.

Have a Blessed Summer,

Iris L. Outlaw

Iris L. Outlaw `90 MSA

Director

Multicultural Student Programs and Services