10-21-15

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The Pitt News T h e in de p e n d e n t st ude nt ne w spap e r of t he University of Pittsburgh

Q&A with Jackie Fuchs Page 5 October 21, 2015 | Issue 46 | Volume 106

Harun starts mentorship program Lauren Wilson Staff Writer

Nasreen Harun wants more strong women leaders on campus — so, she’s set out to find them. At Pitt’s Student Government Board’s weekly meeting Tuesday, Harun, SGB president, announced applications were open for the Pitt Women’s Leadership Experience, the University’s first mentorship program focused specifically on women. The applications are open to all female sophomores and juniors on campus until Monday, Oct. 26. Harun said she hopes to cap the program at 20 Pitt women. According to Harun, the program is free. “All we ask is that you are fully committed and invested in the program and improving yourself,” she said. The program will open with a retreat on Nov. 1, in West Virginia and will have meetings from 7 to 9 p.m. each month in different locations until the end of the school year. Harun said her aim with the program is to get more women into leadership positions — something she wants to see more of at Pitt. “We’re gathering a group of women on campus to talk about different ways to develop leadership skills and talk about obstacles they face that are unique to professional women,” Harun said. Harun said she is currently the only confirmed campus mentor in the program, and is still waiting for confirmation from 13 other campus leaders, including members of See SGB on page 3

Junior Reanna Doll takes a break from classes with sheep at the petting zoo on the Cathedral lawn sponsored by Phiathalon. Reina Yuan STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Remembering Julian Bond, activist Amy Beaudine

Contributing Editor When Denise McCaskill was in high school, a student not much older than herself — social activist Julian Bond, a college student at the time — convinced her that young people could make a change. To McCaskill, Bond was an inspiration that led her to lifelong work in activism. Bond, a former Georgia state congressman, civil rights leader and chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was a social activist from his college years until his death in August, participating in activities ranging from or-

ganizing groups to petition for justice, to petitioning directly for new policies. McCaskill was one of about 60 attendees at “Building on the Legacy of Julian Bond,” a panel discussion held yesterday on Bond and his life from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The Center on Race and Social Problems hosted the discussion, which it held in the Connolly Ballroom of Alumni Hall as a free event, open to the public. David Shribman, executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was a panelist at the event who talked about how the media covers issues alongside Jessica Ruffin, Sammie Dow and Donald Cravins, Jr. — all local or national social activists.

Under warm yellow lighting, the somber crowd listened attentively to Larry E. Davis, dean of Pitt’s School of Social Work, who began the discussion with a brief, but heartfelt, background on Bond’s life, which ended this summer. To Davis, Bond was a precious friend, and the closest thing in his life to Martin Luther King, Jr. “Bond was optimistic about what had been accomplished so far, but committed to continuing work to advance society,” Davis said. “We are meeting here to discuss how to continue that discussion and advance his See Bond on page 2


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10-21-15 by The Pitt News - Issuu