Kent State University President Lester A. Lefton today announced creation of the Kent State Commission on Inclusion, a broad-based initiative throughout the university to ensure a welcoming learning, work and social environment for people of all cultures, views and beliefs.

 Lefton also announced that the chair of the commission would be the Rev. Ronald J. Fowler, senior pastor of Arlington Church of God in Akron. Dr. Fowler is a respected community leader and a 1959 graduate of Kent State.

“This commission will go beyond a simple appeal to diversity,” Lefton said. “Kent State already has in place an innovative office of Diversity and Academic Initiatives, under Vice Provost Steve O. Michael, which continues to find ways to embed diversity into our academic programs and university life. The new initiative on inclusion is meant to take the university’s climate of tolerance and inclusiveness to the next level.”

Lefton, who announced the commission at the regular November meeting of Kent State’s Board of Trustees, said the commission will set measurable goals for enhancing diversity and cross-cultural participation and tolerance. Ideas and recommendations will be forwarded to the president for consideration and action. Lefton also said that university departments and leaders will be responsible for building “aggressive diversity programs” throughout their operations.

Letters will be sent to key student organizations and groups within the community and the region requesting nominations to the commission, which is expected to get underway by spring semester.

“Recent months have seen a disturbing outbreak of incidents of racism around the nation,” Lefton said. “Diversity and cross-cultural understanding are ingrained in Kent State’s core mission, as we prepare our students for a global and highly diverse economy and society. And as Northeast Ohio’s largest and most comprehensive public research university, we should take the lead in boldly addressing the challenges of our society.”

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