The ribbon cutting and opening ceremonies for the new Roger D. and Carla B. Smith Intercultural Center were well attended by individuals from all walks of life Wednesday afternoon.
The turnout was fitting as the center is meant to be a safe and welcoming space for individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. The center was constructed inside of the Emporia State Memorial Union and made possible by donations from several alumni including its namesakes Roger and Carla Smith.
During the ribbon cutting, the Smiths discussed how their time at Emporia State provided them with a great perspective on the importance of diversity and inclusion and why it must be highlighted and supported. Roger Smith says their support of the center’s construction was a “thank you” of sorts to the university.
During her comments to those in attendance Wednesday, Carla Smith noted that everyone, regardless of their background, has wants, needs and desires but not all have opportunities. Smith says this is something that must change and she believes the center’s existence can be a great step towards that change locally.
The center includes office space, a conference center and the Schramm/Wright Interfaith Chapel named for JD Schramm and the late Tim Wright. During his comments Wednesday, Schramm spoke of his long friendship with Wright which began at Emporia State and continued up until Wright’s death in 2019.
Schramm paid tribute to Wright during his comments to the public Wednesday noting that while he and Wright were polar opposites in many ways their differences never affected their friendship. He hopes the chapel and Intercultural Center will catalyze others to form similar life-long bonds.
Schramm adds the chapel was designed in a way that will help to “honor” the religions and religious practices of all students who step through its doors.
Emporia State Senior Diversity Officer and ESU graduate Nyk Robertson tells KVOE News that they hope the center will see great use by individuals and the university’s various identity-based organizations. Robertson stated Wednesday that identity-based groups “saved my life” during their time as a student and they’re hopeful that trend will continue in part thanks to the center’s existence.
Director of the Intercultural Center Mike Torres has spent nearly a decade as a professional at Emporia State with the majority of his time focused on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. With the center now up and running, Torres says the next focus will be to expand the center’s reach both in the classroom and throughout the Emporia community.
Torres also noted that while he has concluded his own journey in finding what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to him, he looks forward to helping others on their own journeys towards finding that meaning in years to come.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE NewsÂ
