WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 music 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:13.000 I'm honored to be here on behalf of President Rex Fuller, President of Western Oregon University. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:18.000 What a truly humbling opportunity for me to personally welcome 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:22.000 WOU's newest class of diversity commitment scholars 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:26.000 and the recipients of the David S. Brody Memorial Scholarship. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:33.000 I love these times where I get to be the person that commences a celebration such as this one. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:38.000 You're a remarkable group of 61 students who chose Western 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:41.000 and we are fortunate to have you here. 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:43.000 Thank you for choosing us. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:48.000 And a special thank you to your families and your friends who are in the room 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:50.000 and those who couldn't be here 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:54.000 for supporting your journey to Western Oregon University. 00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:58.000 I want you to know that you have selected a great school. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:00:62.000 Western Oregon University has a commitment to enhance diversity 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:07.000 and ensure a climate of inclusion and equity for all groups. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.000 Inclusion treasures diversity and builds community. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:18.000 We understand that the diversity of ideas, perspectives, and approaches 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:22.000 is critical to the generation of new knowledge. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:28.000 We believe that students from diverse backgrounds bring distinctive life experiences 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 and unique perspectives to scholarly inquiry 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:37.000 interdisciplinary investigation, co-curricular involvement 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:41.000 and relationships with community members. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:49.000 All of which are crucial to understanding our world and resolving issues affected all humankind. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:56.000 Diverse scholars on college campuses increase the value of the educational experience 00:01:56.000 --> 00:01:62.000 and so your role and your purpose here is even more paramount than ever before. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:10.000 Tonight is about recognizing all of you and honoring you as recipients of our prestigious diversity scholarships. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:14.000 You are not here just because you submitted an application 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.000 for the scholarship you were awarded 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:20.000 but because of the content of your application. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:25.000 In fact it was that content that made the difference. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:29.000 You were asked to write about the diversity that you would bring to campus 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:35.000 how you have used that diversity to improve your communities, your schools 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:41.000 why it's important to be bilingual and how you will use your bilingual skills in the future. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:44.000 These are very important questions. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:49.000 And as our review team poured over the many applications received 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:52.000 and evaluated the content of those applications 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.000 your application rose to the top. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.000 Think about that. That's pretty phenomenal. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:02:65.000 You were identified as the best and someone who will offer significant contributions to our community. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:09.000 Being a diversity scholar to me is much more than receiving a scholarship. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:14.000 Being a diversity scholar is being given a platform to create a voice for ourselves 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:18.000 and being able to speak for a group of individuals who have been silenced for far too long. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:20.000 It let's us know that we have a voice that deserves to be heard 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:24.000 and being part of this program allows us to showcase our voice. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.000 Because of this scholarship I was provided the opportunity to speak on a panel with my peers 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:31.000 about a conversation that is long overdue. 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:36.000 And because of this scholarship I know that more opportunities will be presented to us again. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:41.000 Being a diversity scholar means that I do not have to feel alone at this university 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:44.000 and there are many other people from diverse, minority backgrounds 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.000 first-generation in college, first-generation in America 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:50.000 that are not only on the road to graduating with me 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.000 but also to help us along the way 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:57.000 help us navigate through this new, exciting, and sometimes terrifying experience called college. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:60.000 Being a diversity scholar means that we are a group of achievers. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:05.000 We made it through high school and now we are all here in college 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:10.000 despite the occasional overwhelming gender, socioeconomic, interracial barriers 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:12.000 that we've all had to face to get to where we are. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:16.000 Being a diversity scholar is much more than receiving a scholarship. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:20.000 Maya Angelou once said: In diversity there is beauty and there is strength. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:24.000 Now it is our job to showcase that beauty and that strength on this campus. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.000 To me that is the true meaning of being a diversity scholar. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:37.000 applause 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:46.000 music