Diverse Connections by The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Fall 2013

DiversE

connections

feature story

Derek Greenfield, international leader on race relations, takes diversity to a new level

50 years later

UAH’s Dr. Clarke Rountree revisits Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech

We want to hear from you! How do you define diversity? What are you doing at your organization or in your community to promote diversity and inclusion? What are the benefits of a diverse learning and/or work environment? Write to us. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to share your thoughts, observations and suggestions in our next issue. Remember to include your name, address, and if you are a UAH alumnus, your class year.

Table of Contents

feature story

Derek Greenfield, international leader on race relations, takes diversity to a new level

50 years later

UAH’s Dr. Clarke Rountree revisits Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech

on the cover UAH students share a laugh and a group hug at the Shelby Center for Science and Technology. Go Chargers!

Produced by the Office of Marketing and Communications

08 12 14 16

alumni spotlight

UAH alumna Rhega C. Gordon shares the importance of education and early career planning

life journey

UAH nursing grad Christine Smith alters life plan after debilitating car accident

award-winning journalist

Wendi Thomas, award-winning journalist and founder of Common Ground, a race relations initiative, visits campus

multicultural events

South African conductor, organist and keyboardist Kevin Kraak will visit the UAH campus in November

Welcome

to the inaugural issue of The University of Alabama in

Huntsville (UAH) Office of Diversity’s news magazine, Diverse Connections. We are very pleased to offer the UAH campus, and the surrounding community, this venue to keep you informed about diversity issues, multicultural programming and upcoming events. The Office of Diversity’s fundamental mission is to facilitate the development of institutional structures that advance equity and diversity for students, faculty and staff at UAH. To that end, we support initiatives that promote and cultivate respect for our differences whether based on culture, socioeconomic status, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, race or ethnicity. Therefore, in keeping with one of the core values of the university – Inclusiveness and Diversity – the Office of Diversity is committed to nurturing a campus environment that honors the individual, celebrates differences and fosters Delois Smith, UAH Vice President for Diversity

equal opportunities for all. Songwriter Judith Henderson once said, “Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences. Our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them.” The UAH campus is a microcosm of our larger society where race, culture, gender and ethnicity continue to play a significant role in our everyday interactions. What better place than the university to explore, embrace, challenge and engage in dialogue and exchanges that should, and often do, lead to cognitive restructuring and social change? Our goal, therefore, is to create, support and provide the optimal learning and working environment through diverse collaboration, which strengthens the university as a whole. The Office of Diversity, which also includes the Office of Multicultural Affairs, provides on-going training, workshops, and campus and community outreach as well as administrative support for faculty, staff, students and administrators. Please let us know how we may serve you as we strive to make our campus a welcome place for all. We hope you enjoy our first issue and look forward to many more!

Diverse Connections 2013

www.uah.edu

MEET THE STAFF

Delois H. Smith

Vice President for Diversity

a nationally certified counselor, a Board

committees, and is an advisor for various

Certified Clinical Psychotherapist and a

student clubs and organizations.

Qualified Intercultural Administrator. Delois H. Smith is vice president for Diver-

She graduated from The University of

sity at UAH. She joined the university in

Florida with an undergraduate degree in

1984 and has held progressively responsi-

Psychology and a master’s degree in Edu-

ble positions in the areas of Student Affairs

cational Psychology.

dent Development Services in 1992, and has also served the university as special assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs, and as the vice president for Student Affairs.

Programs Coordinator

Taralyn J. Caudle currently serves as the

and upper administration. Smith was appointed as director of Stu-

Taralyn J. Caudle

Programs Coordinator for the Office of Di-

Kimberly Crutcher-Williams

versity at UAH.

Assistant Director — Office of Multicultural Affairs

She is responsible for conducting research for diversity training, developing

Kimberly Crutcher-Williams began work-

promotional materials and coordinating

ing in the UAH Office of Multicultural Af-

events for community outreach. She also

fairs (OMA) in 2003 and serves as assistant

provides administrative support for the

In 2009, Smith was appointed by the UAH

director. In administrative collaboration

Vice President for Diversity.

President to head and develop the Office

with the UAH Office of Diversity, through

of Diversity and Student Support Services

academic programming, she works

for the campus. As vice president for Di-

foster an understanding and respect for

versity and Student Support Services, she

cultural diversity as she serves on- and

was responsible for strategic planning,

off-campus constituents.

fiscal management and staffing for the Office of Diversity, serving faculty, staff, students and administrators, Student Health Services, the Counseling Center, Services for Students with Disabilities and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She is involved in direct service to the Huntsville

community

and

Madison

County and works and serves on many university and community leadership boards and committees. Smith is a licensed professional counselor,

www.uah.edu

Caudle has an extensive background in program development in the non-profit sector. Her strong ties to the non-profit community have led to service on the boards of both the Food Bank of North Ala-

OMA provides academic and personal

bama and VANGUARD, a local organiza-

counseling for students as well as mento-

tion devoted to improving race relations

ring. Williams is responsible for the over-

in the city of Huntsville.

all operations of the OMA office as well as external and internal sponsored and cosponsored forums, seminars, workshops and student activities.

Caudle is a graduate of Spelman College, earning an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, as well as a master’s degree in Public Affairs, and a graduate certificate

Crutcher-Williams graduated from UAH in

in Technical Communication from UAH.

2003 with a master’s of arts degree from

In 2012, she received her designation

the College of Liberal Arts. She serves

as a Certified Diversity Professional un-

as a diversity representative for numer-

dergraduate degree from the Institute of

ous university and external councils and

Diversity Certification.

Diverse Connections 2013

Did you know?

UAH’s student population boasts representation from 82 different countries. WOW!

MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES Looking for opportunities to get involved? The Huntsville/Madison County area is full of opportunities for multicultural engagement and awareness. Our featured community partners listed below is a great place to start.

International Services Council of Alabama ISC sponsors global education programs, special projects, and international delegations to the city of Huntsville. ISC also provides unique and varied opportunities for those who are interested in learning more about not only the countries and cultures represented in our community, but volunteer opportunities as hosts to international visitors or members of the ISC Diplomatic Corps. iscalabama.org

International Society of Huntsville The International Society exists to broaden awareness of diverse cultures from around the world while promoting a better understanding of the social, traditional, and historical aspects that affect the world we live in. The premier sponsor of the International Festival each fall, the society also hosts a number of other cultural events throughout the year. internationalsocietyofhuntsville.org

Interfaith Mission Service (IMS) The purpose of the Interfaith Mission Service is to strengthen and enhance their congregations’ capabilities to meet human needs, participate in the public forum, and promote religious, racial and cultural harmony. The Interfaith Mission Service has a rich history of promoting interfaith dialogue and serves the community in several ministry areas, including race and culture. In particular, the Racial Harmony Coalition is devoted to improving the racial and multicultural relations in the Huntsville/Madison County area.

Office of Multicultural AffairsMayor’s Office The City of Huntsville’s Office of Multicultural Affairs’ mission is to foster an environment that reflects the equal treatment and participation of all segments of Huntsville’s diverse, culturally rich communities; in the areas of civic, economic, educational and social development. A key component of this effort involves the development of neighborhood and civic associations throughout the City of Huntsville. huntsvilleal.gov/multiculturalaffairs

Asha Kiran Asha Kiran’s mission is to educate, empathize and empower persons of South Asian origin and beyond while providing culturally sensitive and confidential services to people experiencing traumatic/stressful situations. Their services include a crisis hotline, emergency shelter, community outreach and support. Their website includes an archive of community events, volunteer initiatives, and you may also sign up to receive their monthly e-newsletter. ashakiranonline.org

Alabama Hispanic Association The Alabama Hispanic Association prides itself on bridging the gap between the Hispanic community and the community at large by providing education and cultural awareness programs and fostering community outreach. alabamahispanicassociation.org

interfaithmissionservice.org 6

Diverse Connections 2013

www.uah.edu

Feature

DerekGreenfield

”Taking Diversity and Inclusiveness to a New Level”

Are you tired of hearing about diversity? You’re not the only one, according to

Greenfield will be the keynote speaker

Dr. Derek Greenfield, internationally

for the annual University of Alabama in

renowned diversity expert and motiva-

Huntsville (UAH) Diversity Program and

tional speaker. But Greenfield, a passion-

Forum on Thursday, Oct. 24. His visit is

ate advocate for diversity, inclusion and

sponsored by the UAH Offices of Diver-

social justice, says the problem is not the

sity and Multicultural Affairs. The annual

topic, but rather the misguided approach

event is free and open to the public. The

taken too often that fails to fully engage

workshop “What’s the Big D.E.A.L? Be

people in meaningful ways.

Different, Be Educated, Be Aware, and Be

“Typically, diversity work is relegated

a Leader for Inclusion,” is from 9 a.m. to

to the singular dreaded ‘workshop,’ which either approaches the topic from a surface-level ‘food, festivals, and famous people’ angle or the other extreme of emotionality, anger, and shaming.

www.uah.edu

12:15 p.m. And at 7:30 p.m., Greenfield will conduct the Diversity Forum “Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life: Believe and Achieve.” Both events will be held in the UAH University Center

That’s why I consistently hear from folks

Exhibit Hall.

how they are tired of hearing about

Greenfield, who has spent most of his

diversity,” said Greenfield, director of

life working in underserved communities

Educational Equity and Inclusion/Title IX

across the country and at HBCUs, directly

administrator, and professor of Sociology

engages his audience with discussions

at Alcorn State University, an Historically

on cultural diversity, inclusion, motiva-

Black College and University (HBCU) in

tion, team building, hip-hop culture and

Lorman, Miss.

leadership skills.

Diverse Connections 2013

“If we don’t understand one another, we run the risk of even greater polarization and the loss of human potential.”

perspectives differ from our own. It’s

Greenfield said research shows that

time for truly healthy, collaborative dia-

when everyone feels respected and val-

logue that allows us to better understand

ued and multiple viewpoints are includ-

ourselves, others, and the world in which

ed, people and organizations become

we live ... so that we can labor together to

more productive. “We know that racially

build community, appreciate our unique

diverse juries ask deeper questions and

differences, and eradicate inequality that

make fewer technical mistakes, compa-

devalues our humanity and limits our

nies with higher percentages of women

“Hopefully, the sessions that I conduct at

collective abilities.”

on their boards yield stronger profit mar-

UAH will offer an innovative approach for

Diversity and inclusion work, Greenfield

gins, and schools where all students feel

celebrating diversity and inclusion that

said, are not merely “add ons,” but rather

safe report better academic outcomes.”

generates new insights, engages partic-

“add-ins” to policies and practices to en-

Greenfield is extremely proud of the

ipants in dynamic dialogue that builds

sure truly equal opportunity for success

strides Alcorn has made in creating and

alliances, and encourages us to grow to-

among all people. “The spirit of inclusion

sustaining an inclusive campus climate.

gether,” he said. “Through a wide range

needs to become part of our individual

“From our Diversity Dialogue and Cou-

of experiential activities which will be

and institutional DNA, operating as an

rageous Conversations series to the new

enjoyable and educational, members of

ethical compass that guides all aspects

Diversity and Inclusion Grants, which in-

the UAH family will walk away inspired

of what we do and why.

volve students and staff working together

“If we don’t understand one another we

to establish programming throughout the

and motivated to continue making a positive difference.”

run the risk of even greater polarization

campus, the energy and passion around

With the considerable emotions and

and the loss of human potential,” Green-

diversity work have become contagious.

tensions generated in the midst of re-

field emphasized. “Again, diversity work

“We were the first historically black

cent high-profile court cases and media

is not just a cute fad to make people feel

college and only school in Mississippi

events, Greenfield said it is even more

better – it’s a sophisticated strategy that

to win the prestigious Higher Educa-

critical that diversity education becomes

can help people and organizations to be

tion Excellence in Diversity award from

standard practice in academia and the

better. Our country is already stronger

Insight Into Diversity Magazine. The

workplace. “Often, we find ourselves

because more people have become in-

work of our Office of Educational Equity

talking in an affirming manner with peo-

cluded and received equal rights, but we

and Inclusion was featured in a Huffing-

ple like ourselves and talking acrimoni-

have significantly more to do in order to

ton Post feature story entitled, ‘Diversity

ously at people whose backgrounds and

achieve true equality and success.”

at HBCUs: How Alcorn State is Leading

Diversity Connections 2013

www.uah.edu

Diversity CONNECTIONS

Inclusion Tip

the Charge,’” Greenfield noted. “I hear

include everyone equally in order to

the enthusiastically positive testimoni-

make diversity and excellence synony-

als from students, faculty and staff who

mous. Once people encounter positive

attend our events, and I see the evidence

diversity experiences and see concrete

all around when administrators make de-

evidence that inclusion significantly

cisions with the diversity and inclusion

benefits their lives, they are likely to be-

lens in mind.”

come allies in this movement.”

In order for diversity and inclusion pro-

Greenfield promises the UAH sessions

organization’s long–held policies can mar-

grams to be successful, Greenfield said,

will be exciting, high energy, fun, pow-

ginalize certain segments of their work-

we first have to realize that everyone

erful, and life changing. “We want every-

force, whether it be working moms, per-

has culture, and we all have biases.

one who cares about taking UAH to the

sons with a disability, or minorities. There

“We need to be equal partners at the

next level to be there and to experience

are plenty of assessment tools available

table and to be open to confronting

true community. I can’t give away all my

to help a workplace, large or small, deter-

ourselves first. I think that some people

secrets early ... you’ll just have to see it

mine whether and to what degree they’re

believe that learning about other cul-

for yourself!”

really being inclusive.

tures might threaten their own belief

He earned his master’s degree from

systems. In my view, when we truly love

Northwestern University and his Ph.D.

who we are and whose we are, we can

from Cape Peninsula University of Tech-

become more appreciative of why it’s so

nology in South Africa. His passion is

important for others to feel the same way

specifically seen in his work to develop,

about themselves.”

direct and sponsor youth programs in the

Greenfield is adamant that the work

townships of South Africa. Greenfield

of diversity and inclusion is not simply

has also authored the acclaimed motiva-

about a moment, but rather a movement.

tional book, The Answer Is In Your Hands,

He goes even further, saying, “One work-

and has worked as a consultant for

shop doesn’t solve everything — hope-

McDonald’s Corporation, Hilton Hotels,

fully, it can be a springboard to infusing

United Airlines and the National Basket-

the principles of multiculturalism in all

ball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks. He is

aspects of our lives so that we’re always

also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi

thinking about how we can respect and

Fraternity Inc.

www.uah.edu

From time to time, it’s a good idea for organizations to review their policies and practices to make sure that they properly reflect their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Often without realizing it, an

Diversity Connections 2013

Alumni Spotlight

Rhega Gordon (BSE ’91) assumes new role at Marshall

Space Flight Center’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer

“ There were several great instructors, but a favorite of mine was Dr. Adel Atashi who taught our circuits classes. He brought a great deal of practical experience to the classroom and had a real passion for sharing his knowledge.”

Diverse Connections 2013

UAH alumna Rhega Craig Gordon decided on a career in engineering while attending a collegiate summer program. Before Gordon graduated from high school, she attended an engineering camp and quickly decided that electrical engineering would be her college major. “I was very open to several careers,” said Gordon. “In this summer program we were exposed to all the different fields of engineering. It was during that summer that I determined electrical engineering was for me.” Gordon was recently appointed deputy of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. She assists the chief financial officer in overseeing implementation and administration of all integrated Marshall Center and NASA financial management systems, including all aspects of planning, programming, budget processes and guidelines for distribution of financial resources. “Rhega brings with her a strong, diverse background in engineering, project leadership and financial management, and a proven reputation for leadership and collaboration,” said William Hicks, chief financial officer at Marshall Space Flight Center. “She is cool under pressure, values teamwork and possesses an intense focus on achieving objectives that benefit Marshall and NASA.”

A native of Athens, Ala., Gordon graduated from Clements High School. “I was very fortunate to receive several college scholarship offers. I selected UAH for a couple of reasons: the university had exceptional offerings in my field of choice, and I had the opportunity to work each summer in my field at Teledyne Brown Engineering, which I felt would add to my academic training and better ready me to enter the workforce.” Gordon has many fond memories of her professors and educational experiences at UAH. “There were so many great experiences at UAH. I took all of my classes with one of my roommates, and a young man who would later become my husband, Orlando Gordon. We supported each other and encouraged each other along the way. There were several great instructors but a favorite of mine was Dr. Adel Atashi, who taught our circuits classes. He brought a great deal of practical experience to the classroom and had a real passion for sharing his knowledge.” She began her NASA career in 1991 as an engineer in the Ground Systems Department of the Mission Operations Laboratory at Marshall, which developed mission operations requirements for the International Space Station and led flight and ground operations during missions. Before being named to her new post, Gordon was manager of the Planning and

www.uah.edu

Control Office in Marshall’s Flight Programs and Partnerships Office, planning and executing fiscal resources in support of the organization’s role in human exploration projects and tasks; flight mission programs and projects; International Space Station hardware integration and operations; and external partnerships. During her career at NASA, she has received a number of awards and honors, including a NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2012 for outstanding leadership as manager of the Planning and Control Office in Marshall’s Flight programs and Partnership Office; NASA Distinguished Performance Awards in 2011

www.uah.edu

and 2010 for successful execution of science and mission resources and for successful collaboration and integration of engineering organizations and facility resources; 12 special service awards and 10 group achievement awards. Gordon was named Space Flight Awareness Launch Honoree in 2002. Her husband and UAH alumnus, Orlando “Fritz” Gordon, currently works for the Department of Defense as the Deputy Product Director for the Javelin Missile System. Fritz Gordon received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, and a master’s degree in management from UAH (BSE ‘91, MS ‘08).

Rhega Gordon’s encouraging advice to minorities and women entering the field of engineering includes “volunteer when possible ... shadow people currently in engineering positions, and participate in summer programs and internships in order to experience the many aspects of how an engineering degree can be applied in the workforce,” she explained. “There are so many wonderful, challenging and thrilling things that can be accomplished. Spending time with some people who have the opportunity to work in engineering every day can really open students’ eyes to things perhaps they had not considered before.”

Diverse Connections 2013

50 Years later

Revisiting the Dream Two weeks before the end of the last mil-

by Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, and oth-

of African American students in majority

lennium, 137 scholars of American public

ers; and the unprecedented turnout of

nonwhite schools is almost the same as it

address were asked to identify the top

marchers grabbed the attention of the

was in the late 1960s. And, thanks to the

100 greatest American speeches of the

nation and of Congress. King was not ex-

U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling gutting

20th century. At the top of that list was Dr.

aggerating when he called it “the greatest

a key provision of the Voting Rights Acts,

Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream”

demonstration for freedom in the history

some southern states have been freed to

speech. That speech marked the conclu-

of our nation.” And, indeed, it yielded sig-

implement changes in voting laws that

sion of the historic march on Washington

nificant results. After Kennedy was assas-

will limit access to the ballot by African

for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963,

sinated, Lyndon Johnson defied southern

Americans and other minority voters.

50 years ago.

Democrats and pushed hard to pass the

So, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary

More than two hundred thousand march-

Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting

of this monumental demonstration for

ers—mostly African American, though

Rights Act of 1965, putting the force of

freedom, we should think of it more as an

with a sizable number of white support-

federal law behind efforts to defend the

abiding call to action in defense of civil

ers—filled the National Mall between the

civil rights of African Americans.

rights, rather than as a successful, final

Lincoln Memorial and the Washington

From our vantage point, we find reason to

push for equality in America. “We Shall

Monument on that hot day. They sought

celebrate this great march and also to de-

Overcome” must remain our mantra.

to maintain the momentum of the civil

spair over the failure of our nation to meet

rights movement, building on efforts to

the challenges of ensuring racial equality.

Chair and Professor of Communication Arts at

Federal laws have reined in some of the

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

undermine racial segregation wrought by Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, lunch counter sit-ins, the Freedom Riders, and Brown v. Board of Education. The march sought to spur the Kennedy Administration to push through the Civil Rights Act.

Dr. Clarke Rountree

worst racially discriminatory practices. Unfortunately, as a recent report from

Clarke Rountree is the author of dozens

the Economic Policy Institute notes, 50

of articles and five books on legal and

years after the march, African American

political communication, including Brown

unemployment has remained stubbornly

v. Board of Education at 50: A Rhetorical

high at roughly twice the rate for white

Perspective, and most recently, Venomous

The passionate speeches of civil rights

Americans, while black poverty rates are

Speech: Problems in American Political

leaders (especially King), moving songs

almost triple that of whites. The number

Discourse on the Right and Left.

12 12

Diversity Connections 2013 Diverse Connections 2013

www.uah.edu www.uah.edu

Meet Benita Hopkins, major gifts officer in University Advancement and providing comprehensive oversight of development initiatives and activities. Hopkins will also implement stewardship strategies and assist with planning special events to enhance the

Benita Hopkins, major gifts officer in the Division of University Advancement at UAH

Benita Hopkins has been named major gifts officer in the division of University Advancement at UAH. She began her duties in June.

crafted to incorporate a much-needed program to assist Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families. This program is the first strategic partnership within the state of Alabama to be licensed and

relationship among alumni, friends and

managed by the national organization.

the university.

Additionally, during her six years at

Before coming to UAH, Hopkins was a

the March of Dimes, Hopkins oversaw

division director at the March of Dimes

board recruitment and development,

Foundation. The non-profit organization

as well as fund and revenue operations

seeks to improve the health of babies

management, training and development,

by preventing birth defects, premature

operating budget and expense control,

births and infant mortality.

account management and strategic

During her tenure at the agency, the March of Dimes Foundation increased mission awareness by executing strategic media and marketing initiatives and

planning and execution. She was also responsible for the agency’s public relations and marketing and communications efforts.

sparked philanthropic giving, generating

Hopkins earned a bachelor’s of applied

Hopkins brings more than 12 years

new revenue and increasing profitability

science degree in justice studies

work experience in the non-profit

from 83 percent to 149 percent

from Athens State University, and is

sector focusing on fund development.

(accumulated total of $2.3 million),

expected to receive a master’s of public

She will be responsible for identifying,

establishing a revenue record for the

administration degree in national

cultivating and soliciting donors among

division. Under Hopkins leadership, a

security affairs from Troy University

alumni and friends of the university,

partnership with Huntsville Hospital was

in March 2014.

sponsored conference for women The second annual “Own Your Brilliance: A Soulful Empowerment Conference for Women,” will be held Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. in Wilson Hall on the UAH campus. The conference coordinator is Jamila Randall, a local motivational speaker, branding expert and entrepreneur. Keynote speaker for the event will be Delois Smith, UAH vice president for the Office of Diversity.

The event is co-sponsored by the UAH Office of Diversity. Each year, this annual women’s empowerment program benefits a local charity. This year’s community agency will be the Village of Promise (VoP). VoP is an effective non-profit community agency serving the needs of children and families in Huntsvillearea neighborhoods.

For more information, please visit jamilaspeaks.com/ownyourbrilliance. www.uah.edu www.uah.edu

Diversity Connections 2013 Diverse Connections 2013

13 13

UAH graduate injured in car crash begins new life as a nurse

Diverse Connections 2013

www.uah.edu

Christine Smith’s new normal began Jan. 14, 2012.

UAH because of its great nursing program, and I could save

Early that winter morning, the UAH senior nursing stu-

money staying at home. I was led to the nursing field because

dent was seriously injured in a horrific car crash in Mad-

I enjoyed being a part of the Huntsville Youth Volunteer

ison County. Christine was riding in the front passenger

Leadership Corp in high school and wanted a career where I

seat when the car’s driver lost control, ran off the road and

could help others. I began attending UAH in fall 2008.”

struck a utility pole.

After the accident, Christine realized her life had changed

The severity of the whiplash caused Christine’s neck

forever, and it was beginning to look like her beloved career

to break in two places. The C6 and C7 bones in the spinal

choice as a nurse would be nothing more than a pipe dream.

column, located at the base of her neck where it inter-

“I was supposed to graduate with the spring 2012 class. I

sects with the back and shoulders, caused a spinal cord

was able to participate in the pinning ceremony with my

injury (SCI). Christine was also diagnosed with pneumo-

classmates,” she said. “They even dedicated ‘Lean On Me,’

nia and acute respiratory distress syndrome as a result of

the class song, to me.

her injuries.

“I was placed on a ventilator because I couldn’t breathe

ate dean for undergraduate nursing programs) and Dr. Fay

on my own,” she said. “Doctors also put me in a medically

Raines (dean of the College of Nursing), came to my house

induced coma and placed me in a rotating hospital bed. The

with different options and encouraged me to finish my

bed rotated my body from the face up to face down posi-

degree ... this has meant more to me then they will ever know.

tions in order to clear the fluid build-up from my lungs. The

I didn’t know if I would be able to return to school until then.

medical staff initially told my family I could be in the bed

The nursing faculty and staff made sure I had all the tools

for up to three months, but thankfully I only had to stay for

that I would need to succeed, and for this, I’m very thankful,”

10 days.”

said Christine.

Less than a month later, she was transferred to a hospital

“The summer after my accident, Dr. Pam O’Neal (associ-

In April, during the College of Nursing’s Annual Honors

in Birmingham where she was taken off the ventilator and

Convocation, Christine was awarded the Dean’s Award for

her tracheostomy tube was removed. From there, Christine

a senior “who exemplifies outstanding academic achieve-

was admitted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham

ment and has exhibited leadership in university and

Spain Rehabilitation Center for inpatient therapy. “They

community activities.”

began teaching me how to live with SCI ... working with me

on strengthening my arms, and how to transfer to and from

faced challenges in continuing her nursing education with a

my chair. I returned home on March 23, 2012, and was very

positive attitude and commitment to success. She is an ex-

happy to finally be back.”

cellent student and we are proud to have her as a graduate,”

said Dr. Raines.

Due to Christine’s SCI injury she has no movement or sen-

“Christine has been an inspiration to many of us. She has

sation from the chest down. She does have weak movement

in her arms and fingers. “After my injury I couldn’t even lift

“I will be looked over for many jobs because I am unable to

my arms up to do my hair, but now my arms and hands are

do some of the physical requirements that are expected of

much stronger.”

me, and many nursing positions require 12-hour shifts.”

Christine faces many obstacles on a daily basis — some

Christine is realistic in seeking employment as a nurse.

She has not concentrated on an area of nursing specialty.

simple, others more complex. “Some of the challenges I face

“For now, I would like to see what is available for a nurse in a

are accessibility because many public places aren’t designed

wheelchair. I don’t want to narrow my options when they are

for a wheelchair. Also, body image insecurities because it’s

already limited. However, I’m thinking of case management,

very frustrating not to physically look the same way, or be

psychiatric or community health nursing. I have received a

able to do all of the same things I did before the accident,”

wonderful education at UAH,” Christine said. “The faculty

she said.

and staff were supportive of me both before and after my

accident. And, I do plan on returning to UAH for my master’s

Before the accident Christine didn’t miss a beat when

it came to her education. While attending Buckhorn High

degree in nursing.”

School she completed dual-enrollment pre-calculus and

advanced placement biology classes. “I decided to attend

She plans to take the Nursing State Boards test soon.

www.uah.edu

Christine graduated from the College of Nursing in May.

Diverse Connections 2013

Wendi Thomas

award-winning journalist leads diversity talk at UAH

It didn’t take long for Wendi Thomas,

to the 40th anniversary of the King

“remotely touched” on issues of race.

an award-winning journalist at The

assassination. I made a connection

Commercial Appeal in Memphis, to

between the lack of progress in racial

stereotypical questions, such as ‘Why

realize very little progress had been

disparities and racial attitudes in the

do black people name their kids crazy

made in improving race relations since

literally thousands of emails I received

names?’ And, I wondered if these readers

the assassination of civil-rights leader

from readers who clearly had stuff they

really thought I was the spokesperson

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968.

wanted to say about race.”

for the black race. But, on the other hand,

many of the letter-writers were honestly

Thomas, a native of Memphis,

Thomas was the first black woman

“On one hand, I was offended by the

returned to the city in 2003 when she

to work as a columnist for the news-

puzzled. They wanted to know answers

accepted a position as metro columnist

paper. She was also “stunned” by the

to questions, but didn’t have anyone

at The Commercial Appeal. “I started

volume of reader emails she received

they felt like they could ask,” Thomas

reporting for a series of columns tied

whenever she wrote anything that

explained. “I also received emails from

Diverse Connections 2013

www.uah.edu

Diversity CONNECTIONS This much was clear: Neither black people nor white people had a safe space to talk about racial issues. So I created one. It’s called Common Ground: Conversations on Race, Communities in Action,” Thomas said. The organization brings together small groups of ethnically diverse people to talk about racial identity, and construct action plans to improve racial disparities and repair the divide between citizens.

readers who identified themselves as

ases and our privilege makes us squirm.

black, who had messages they wanted

No one likes to squirm, to be uneasy, to

racism today won’t look like a 1960s

delivered to white people. I sometimes

sit with these feelings. So, we avoid it.”

protest march,” Thomas said. “The

suggested to them that these are ques-

soundtrack won’t be ‘We Shall Over-

tions best explored with your friends

the first Common Ground session, the

come.’ The dialogue will use the

of different races. “Then, I asked, ‘You

organization has taken 1800 people

language and technology of the

do have those friends, don’t you?’”

through a race-relations curriculum

present generation.

No response.

“This much was clear: Neither black

national organization, Everyday Democ-

should be an easy sell,” she said. “The

people nor white people had a safe

racy focuses its assistance where people

introspection required, the historical

space to talk about racial issues. So I

of different backgrounds are committed

context, the themes of power and

created one. It’s called Common Ground:

to working to solve public problems.

privilege that are woven throughout the

Conversations on Race, Communities in

kind of work Common Ground does –

Action,” Thomas said. The organization

said, is based on the curriculum called

what better place for that sort of learn-

brings together small groups of ethni-

“Facing Racism in a Diverse Nation.”

ing to flourish but at an institution of

cally diverse people to talk about racial

The program uses trained facilitators

higher learning?”

identity, and construct action plans to

in small groups of 8 to 10 people. Par-

improve racial disparities and repair the

ticipants share stories about their racial

ism awards including the 2008 Scripps

divide between citizens.

identity, define terms like racism and

Howard Hall of Fame for commentary,

Thomas shared her story and accom-

prejudice, examine racial inequities

Best Local Columnist Award, Society

plishments for advancing race relations

in the country and their community,

of Professional Journalists Award,

recently at UAH. She led a campus-wide

and then come up with specific plans

and the Gannett Well Done Award for

diversity talk, “Promoting Racial Harmo-

on how to improve race relations

an article on the legacy of a racially

ny,” and gave the keynote address at the

in Memphis.

motivated murder.

annual 2013 Interfaith Mission Service

(IMS) Awards Banquet on the campus

local houses of faith, colleges and

Root, an online magazine that provides

of UAH.

businesses,” she said. “For the last three

thought-provoking commentary and

years, Common Ground has provided

news on African American culture,