Smithsonian Curator to Deliver Keynote Address at Feb. 6 Diversity Colloquium at Cal Poly
Paul Gardullo, curator of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture will present the keynote address at Cal Poly’s Diversity Colloquium set for 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, in the Performing Arts Center’s Christopher Cohan Center.
Gardullo is leading a half-billion dollar project now under construction to honor the role and contributions of African Americans throughout the history of the United States. The museum is the 19th Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C., and is the result of an act of Congress.
The community colloquium, titled “Celebrating Diversity,” will address the virtues of living and learning in a diverse society. It will feature remarks from a variety of national and local speakers, a panel discussion, Black History Month exhibits, poetry reading with musical accompaniment, and a presentation honoring local 98-year-old folk photographer Joseph Schwartz for his lifetime of work documenting the virtues of diversity.
Also set to speak are Cal Poly Provost Kathleen Enz Finken; Betsy Umhofer, from the office of Congresswoman Lois Capps; local radio personality David Congalton; San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Howell Marx; and James A. Miller, professor of English and American studies and director of the Center for the Study of Public History and Culture at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.
The panel discussion will feature Congalton, Miller, Gardullo, San Luis Obispo City Councilman John Ashbaugh, and Cal Poly students, faculty members, and administrators.
“Cal Poly is proud to help present this important gathering as an opportunity for all of us to embrace the variety of people, cultures and opinions that comprise our society,” Armstrong said.
“We’re especially pleased to play a role in helping students live and work effectively in our multicultural society. Their ability to do so will be a key factor in their future success.”
After the colloquium, a reception will be held in the Performing Arts Center Lobby where attendees can meet the speakers and view displays.
The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by Cal Poly and the City of San Luis Obispo, along with the Cal Poly Diversity Coalition, Inclusive Excellence Council, and President’s Office. For more information, contact Harvey Levenson at 805-756-6151 or visit the Celebrating Diversity website .
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