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Students Lead Diversity Rally on EC Campus

Over 100 students, faculty and staff met March 13 for an important discussion of diversity, and the promotion of an open and safe campus for all people.

Members of the EC campus community staged a diversity rally March 13, on the Brune Patio in response to the recent defacing of campus and student message boards, which falls under the definition of hate crimes.

“[Elmhurst College] is where I live,” said junior and founder of the EC chapter of the NAACP, Jessica Sullivan. “Where I live should be safe, accepting, and understand that people are different.”  

The rally, which lasted over an hour on a sunny but cool day in early spring, included public speaking by students, administrators and teachers – with more than 100 individuals in attendance.   

“Today, I feel Elmhurst College rose to a new level to address injustice systemically, said Professor of Religious Studies, Nancy Lee, at the rally. She went on to say that she was more moved by the March 13 event than by anything in the ten years she has served Elmhurst College, expressing that “Reinhold Niebuhr would be proud.”  

The event concluded with a march around the College Mall that included ceremonial “moments of reflection” at each of the residence halls where an act of vandalism / hate had occurred.  

"Diversity and the improvement of Elmhurst College go hand in hand," said Alzada Tipton, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs, at the event.

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