Activist artists arrive at Midd 'South Park' star to address College community

Author: Liz Campbell

Tim Spears, dean of the College and professor of American literature and civilization, has recently developed an initiative to enhance diversity on campus through a revitalized series of lectures and events. As part of the College's ongoing attempts to promote a more diverse educational environment, Spears and Associate Dean of the College Marichal Gentry have assumed responsibility for the Office of Institutional Diversity, while Roman Graf, dean for Institutional Diversity and associate professor of German, is on leave this academic year. Spears and Gentry are aiming not only to foster diversity on campus but also to generate greater student interest in on-campus lectures and events concerning diversity.

"One of my goals is to create some high-profile events that would appeal across the campus and would engage some aspect of diversity," said Spears. "I've been trying to put together a series that is loosely oriented around the relationship between diversity, art and social activism."

Spears has already planned two events for the fall, striving to bring people to campus with careers focusing on some aspect of America's diverse population. On Oct. 25, photographer Bill Bamberger will visit Middlebury to speak about diversity, the notion of community and how photography effectively exposes the various versions of American life across racial and class differences. He will also showcase some of his work through which he has documented several aspects of the American socio-cultural scene.

The next month, Middlebury will offer an icon of popular culture stretching from the 1970s until today. Known by most college students as Chef on "South Park," Isaac Hayes has led one of the most illustrious careers in social activism and music in the United States. Hayes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on June 9, 2005, and was the first African American to win an Oscar (Best Musical Score, "Shaft," 1972).

In addition to his success as a musician Hayes is also a significant supporter of economic development in Africa. He created the Isaac Hayes Foundation to promote literacy, education and teaching initiatives throughout the world. Hayes will come to Middlebury on Nov. 10 to discuss his life as both a musician and activist.

Spears is hopeful that Hayes will inspire students to discuss the promotion of diversity in the United States through social activism. He also hopes that he will enhance the diverse educational environment at Middlebury. "In terms of African American culture, Isaac Hayes is a really important person in terms of bringing forward a particular notion of black manhood," he remarked. "He has been very connected to the black individual movement."

In April 2006, the Orange Grove Gospel Choir from North Carolina, of which Gentry is a member, will visit Middlebury to sing for the third time. Although the choir is independent of any College affiliation, it performed in 2000 and in 2001 in conjunction with the Angels Award, given each year to a woman of color at Middlebury for leadership and academic excellence, and will do so again this spring.

In the past, Gentry has produced the choir's concert with major support from the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and the Office of the President. This year, however, he has also made an effort to gain support from a greater and more diverse part of the school in promoting diversity on campus through his choir.

Gentry remarked, "The choir's concert is an element of diversity in many various forms. This year, I am also engaging the support of the Office of the Dean of the College, which oversees the Office for Institutional Diversity, as well as other campus offices. I believe we all should share in the College's mission to promote diversity on campus."

In addition to this initiative developed by Spears and Gentry, the College has also recently formed the Human Relations Committee in order to evaluate the progress that Middlebury has made in addressing diversity issues on campus. Chaired by Director of Scott Center for Spiritual and Religious Life Augustus Jordan, the work of the committee will begin this week. Spears will be looking to the report of this committee, due at the end of J-Term, to help inform his initiatives.

Spears is optimistic about the prospects to promote diversity on campus in the future. "If you want to speak about important issues in the United States today, what venue do you choose? If you're a politician, you've got the media, but who better to speak to than college kids who are interested in this and who are young?"

Furthermore, he believes that students will become more involved in on-campus performances and lectures. "It's our job to introduce somebody whom students aren't going to immediately recognize, and to explain why they would be interested in this person. It's a great opportunity for the College to get students more involved in diversity."