PALANA Fetes Its Supporters with Annual Ceremony

Author: Daniel Phillips

The Pan-African-Latino-Asian-Native American (PALANA) Center held its annual program of recognition last Thursday, May 1, at the Fletcher House to honor seniors, faculty, staff and campus organizations that have enriched and supported PALANA and its program over the past year. The house's entryway became a teeming reception area as students and faculty alike were met with a warm welcome at the academic interest house devoted to promoting multiculturalism on campus. Feelings of nostalgia pervaded the air as some members of the congregation realized they would be meeting for the last time at Middlebury.
Leroy Nesbitt '82, senior advisor for institutional diversity, got the ball rolling by introducing the occasion as an opportunity for PALANA to recognize people who have helped make Middlebury "a place with cultural richness - a place where we all want to be." Specifically, Nesbitt described a hip-hop concert in the fall which successfully "elevated that kind of music" on campus. Middlebury has also "seen so much growth of Caribbean culture in so many venues," Nesbitt added. He remarked on the "camaraderie of the 16 students living with and learning from one another in the Fletcher House." Nesbitt cited certain instances for which PALANA should be especially proud, such as the quality of dialogue generated on the issue of affirmative action. He concluded by saying how pleased he is that something good and different is always going on at Middlebury College.
Jessa Karki, assistant in academic administration, took the podium to recognize and extend thanks to faculty and staff who have contributed to PALANA this year. Among a long list of those commended, Catering Manager Chaz Sternberg and the Facilities Management Department were noted as going "above and beyond" in their efforts. Karki also recognized outstanding seniors on behalf of PALANA, naming them "the backbone of the organization," as she was pleased to have the opportunities of forming such endearing relationships.
Nesbitt then addressed Ingrid De LÈon '00, assistant director of academic support, who will be departing from Middlebury next year to pursue interests abroad. He described how De LÈon has "been taking advantage of all she knows about Middlebury," as students presented her with roses in tear-filled appreciation for all of her caring advice and guidance. Students expressed support for her involvement with the Pan-Caribbean Students Organization (PCSO) on campus and congratulated her on her recent marital engagement.
De LÈon, who majored in Latin American studies after taking a particularly inspiring Spanish class, said how much of a privilege it was for her to see the students grow and could not wait to see the senior class graduate when she gets back. "Experience is what you carry with you," she added. De LÈon referred the four students - Anisa Gamble, Tiffany Holmes, Maika Prewitt and Iniko Johnson, all class of 2003 - who died in a car accident and in whose memory the Angels Award was established. The Angels "are with us and constantly give us hope" and remind us of the positive things we still have in life, she said.
Students said that De LÈon's advice echoed in their minds throughout their academic careers. "When you graduate, your name is on that diploma, so work for it," De LÈon had told them. "If we don't have obstacles, we have no motivation," she advised. "The strength you gain at Middlebury, you take it everywhere."
Both Nesbitt and Roman Graf, associate provost for institutional diversity, expressed their enthusiasm for moving the PALANA Center's location to Carr Hall at the start of next year. Graf noted that it was the first order of business he wanted to address when he took office.
Nesbitt remarked, "Special things go on in the building - we're excited at being in a location more central." He noted that the current Fletcher House "does not facilitate as much contact with Cook Commons as we'd like."
Graf explained that the PALANA Center, which is now considered "a fringe group," will have the opportunity to play a more involved role in the community.