Monthly Archives: September 2014

Freedom Summer: “the experience of a lifetime”

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Freedom Summer MemorialMiami’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer is underway. Here in IT Services, many of us regularly walk the same paths as the hopeful young volunteers who gathered for orientation in June, 1964. Maybe you’ve even visited the Freedom Summer Memorial, shown at right.

To commemorate Freedom Summer and the part Western College played, IT Services is participating in special 45-minute “Walk with Me” tours at 11:30 am and 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 17.  This event is the second in our series of  Be Different events that celebrate and honor the diversity in all of us.

The tour begins in front of Clawson Hall, where two guides introduce themselves as Freedom Summer staff members. Along the route, tour guides take on the personas of trainees, revealing the inner thoughts of Freedom Summer volunteers as recorded in letters and diaries. The tour ends at the Freedom Summer memorial, inviting participants to reflect upon the legacy of the civil rights movement. The impact of Freedom Summer hits home, just a few steps away from our offices.

Earlier today you received an invitation to a picnic lunch that will be offered in conjunction with the tours. A meal of hot dogs, chips, drinks, and dessert will be offered on the Boyd Hall lawn. We hope you’ll attend, because sharing food is a great way to bond with each other.

And if you can, please take time for one of the special tours and reflect on what happened here fifty years ago:

…witnessing your courage and your commitment was the experience of a lifetime. I saw belief become commitment and then action. Not just random action, but concerted, well-designed action with a purpose…That’s powerful stuff.

—Phyllis Hoyt, speaking at the 45th Reunion of Freedom Summer, Fall, 2009

Anticipating EDUCUASE

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The EDUCAUSE national conference is one of the few regular events that I attend each year. Why? There are a number of reasons this is a great conference for me – and maybe for you.

Constituent Groups

The EDUCAUSE world is divided up into a myriad of CGs – several of which I belong to. Obviously, I am part of the IT Comm group. That goes without saying – but it is a special time to meet face-to-face with a room full of people who do what you do and share your joys and frustrations with the job. I also try to check out the Women in Technology group – again somewhat obvious. Interesting discussion! Social Media offers new ideas in how to communicate with students – but with faculty and staff as well. And there are many, many more. If you are interested, check them out on the EDUCAUSE web site. You can log in via our inCommon membership from the home page (EDUCAUSE.com) and then search for the CGs under “Connect”.

Sessions

Sessions and workshops are presented by people from universities and colleges from across the nation – but they are just like us in so many ways. I have found over the years that Miami is way ahead in some areas, behind in others, but generally we are working on the same issues as the best schools around the country. I always come away with a sense of pride in Miami and the work we do.

Exhibit Hall

OK – I always find this a little overwhelming. But you can learn a lot about what is going on and where the next “big” ideas might lead us by wandering around and listening to a few sales pitches. You also get a great selection of pens and other freebies to fit into your suitcase.

People

This is the hardest part for any introvert. This is a very large conference – with upwards of 2000 people attending. It is, however, where I have meet colleagues who have become a valued network. My counterparts from Rice University and SUNY – Albany are just two examples of people I am hungry to meet up with. We will share our stories of reorganizations – yes, we are not alone. We will also talk about the serious issues and how each of us addresses them at our institutions. That informal network is likely the best part of the three and a half days I will spend in Orlando this month.

Watch for follow up in October – I will fill you in on what I hear in the CG meetings, sessions, and around the exhibit floor. It should be interesting – at least it always has been!