UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State community came together Thursday (Oct. 6) by the hundreds to kick off “All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion” — recognizing the importance of diversity and having an environment that is inclusive and respectful. The 40-minute event was focused on encouraging the community to be “All In.”
Students, faculty and staff and friends of the University gathered on the lawn of Old Main at University Park and at Penn State campuses across the Commonwealth to launch the initiative, which will continue throughout the year. As historic 3-D pictures splashed across the front of Old Main and color poured down its stately columns, the crowd watched the multi-presentation, which urged them to “go beyond diversity, dig deeper and ask ourselves, ‘How can we work together, listen to each other, stand up for one another. Are we inclusive? Are we all in?” The presentation will continue to be shown on the front of Old Main the evenings of Oct. 7 and 8.
President Eric Barron noted that the initiative is more than a one-time event. Instead, it demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, a recognition that more needs to be done and a call for everyone to be “All In.”
“Diversity comes in many shapes, colors and sizes, and it makes us a stronger community. Tonight we publicly acknowledge that diversity is part of the Penn State identity,” Barron said.
“During my career, I have spent more than 25 years at Penn State with students, faculty and staff from every walk of life,” he said. “I have found that our community has an amazing potential for goodness, as well as the courage of our convictions to be a national leader in diversity and inclusion efforts.”
The multi-media presentation highlighted Penn State’s history, including student unrest in the 1960s and the continuing need to question what more can and should be done to foster inclusivity. “We’re traveled the path to diversity, and we’ve made progress, but progress doesn’t mean you’re finished,” the narrator said.
“All In at Penn State,” which will continue throughout the year, supports the University’s commitment to fostering welcoming and inclusive communities that embrace diversity, encourage meaningful discussions and are respectful of everyone regardless of their background, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, abilities, veteran’s status or any of the ways we differ. The initiative challenges community members to ask what they can do to embrace diversity and have a positive impact at Penn State and beyond.
Khushboo Attarwala, a Penn State student watching the presentation, appreciated the event.
“I feel it’s hard to address the problem if you’re not willing to admit there is a problem,” she said. “We have to first admit, that, yes, there is a problem, but we’re working on it.”