College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to Host Intercultural Awareness Day

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 13, 2015) — The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Office of Diversity is hosting an Intercultural Awareness Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT Oct. 14 at E. S. Good Barn on the campus’s Farm Road. The public is invited to join in the activities that will include a panel discussion, research showcase, poster presentations, a food fair and art and essay award presentations.

“Our mission is to highlight and promote leading examples of diversity and inclusion as examples to all,” said Quentin Tyler, CAFE assistant dean for diversity. “Through Intercultural Awareness Day 2015, the college will highlight the many examples of diverse people doing diverse work in our college. This is a day to celebrate and embrace the diversity of our faculty, staff and students and show the wonderful things we are doing as a college.”

A panel will discuss the importance of intercultural awareness at a land-grant institution. The panel includes Tyler; Janet Mullins, UK extension professor; Roger Cleveland, associate professor, Eastern Kentucky University; Paul Vincelli, UK extension plant pathologist; Keiko Tanaka, UK associate professor of sociology; and Abagail Martin, agricultural economics junior. Michael Reed, director of the college’s Office of International Programs for Agriculture, will moderate.

Madison Tackett, a junior animal science major, will read her winning student essay on We are CAFE: How I Contribute to the Compelling Interest of Diversity in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Displays will include the top 12 How You Contribute to Diversity art tiles produced by students, faculty and staff during the UK Ag Roundup. These tiles will become part of a public mural to be placed on the CAFE campus. Winning research posters will be on display as well. An international food fair featuring European, Mediterranean, African, Latin American, North American, Asian, and Indian cuisine will also be part of the day’s activities.

“A commitment to diversity is essential to enhance the quality of decision-making, problem-solving and innovation,” said Nancy Cox, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Laura Skillman, 859-323-4761.