History
Commitment to Community was first organized by two undergraduate
students in 1997-98 who were concerned about the university climate
regarding issues of diversity and multiculturalism. Our modest
beginnings have been so impactful to our communities that we begin each
academic year with an inspiring keynote speaker. This tradition was
started with Dr. Cornell West’s address in 1997 and has continued each
year with important educators, scholars and writers.
Keynote Speakers
Here is a list of some of the Keynote Speakers that C2C has sponsored:
| 1997 |
|
Dr. Cornell West, educator, author, social commentator |
| 1998 |
|
Kweisi Mfume, former president/CEO of the NAACP |
| 1999 |
|
Rebecca Walker, author |
| 2000 |
|
Helen Zia, journalist |
| 2001 |
|
Ray Suarez, journalist |
| 2002 |
|
Winona LaDuke, activist and leader |
| 2003 |
|
Dr. J. Herman Blake, educator |
| 2004 |
|
Paul Kivel, activist and author |
| 2005 |
|
Dennis Banks, activist and author |
| 2006 |
|
Dr. Carlos Cortés, author and educator |
| 2007 |
|
Patricia Williams, J.D., legal scholar, educator and author |
| 2008 |
|
Dr. Ronald Takaki, educator and author |
| 2009 |
|
Keith Boykin, author, journalist and social commentator |
| 2010 |
|
Arun Gandhi, social justice and peace activist |
| 2011 |
|
Dr. Yvonne Haddad, scholar and expert in Islam and Muslims |
| 2012 |
|
Michelle Alexander, attorney, author and professor |
| 2013 |
|
Tim Wise, prominent anti-racist activist, social critic and author |
| 2014 |
|
Keith Ellison, Congressman and author |
| 2015 |
|
Peter L. Levine, scholar and author on civic engagement and public service. |
| 2016 |
|
Kathryn J. Edin & H. Luke Shaefer, scholars and authors, and professors |
Previous year's programming:
Commitment to Community Keynote Address 2016
“Fighting Poverty and Enhancing Dignity in 2017 and Beyond” - Kathryn J. Edin & H. Luke Shaefer
Edin and Shaefer will talk about the findings of their recent book, $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, and will discuss their next project, which explore how programs that seek to help struggling families can either enhance their dignity, or strip them of it.
Campus and Classroom Conversations about Poverty 2016
A staff and faculty development session with the Common Read $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America authors Kathryn Edin & H. Luke Shaefer. Discussion themes include - public scholarship and how research informs teaching practice.
Commitment to Community Interview with the Speakers 2016
Professor Valerie Chepp interviews the Common Read, $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, authors Kathryn Edin & H. Luke Shaefer.
Commitment to Community Keynote Address 2015
The Promise of Civic Renewal in America - Peter L. Levine
"We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For.” That is a message for all Americans, reminding us that we have the power and responsibility to be active citizens. It is also the title of Peter Levine’s recent book. A professor at Tufts University’s Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service, Levine will discuss why and how Americans can take back our democracy by talking and acting together."
Commitment to Community Panel Discussion 2015
“We are the ones: organizing communities for change”
Join us for the Commitment to Community panel discussion with faculty, staff, students, and community members to discuss what it means to be organizers for change in our communities.