Students who walk through the main front doors of Warf-Pickel Hall are sure to notice the brightly colored diversity display on the walls of the foyer.
The College of Education diversity team, composed of faculty, staff and students of the college and University School, volunteer their time and creative ideas each month to make the displays, which represent different themes throughout the year.
The 22-member team is dedicated to the celebration of diversity in all communities and supports multiculturalism. The celebration display educates as well as sets up an environment that honors and recognizes diversity.
“It is important for the team to set up an environment that is inclusive, which brings together disabled, colored, gay, lesbian and bisexual people,” said Barbara Beauchamp, assistant professor in the department of human development and learning.
“Besides just the people of minority in a country, there are many, many other folks that don’t enjoy the privilege of the dominant culture.”
October honors the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals who are victims of hate throughout their everyday lives.
The display sends a message to the public saying that every person’s life deserves celebration.
“What we are taught in school through written history is just one segment of the broader history lesson that needs to be shared,” Beauchamp said.
“White, wealthy men were not the only people who contributed to what our society is today. What about women, people of color, gay people, lesbians and the disabled?”
ETSU students who have never experienced discrimination should also benefit from the display by becoming more aware of those different from themselves.
“Knowledge is power and that power enables you to think, feel and behave differently,” Beauchamp said.
The diversity team strives to promote the atmosphere in the college of education as safe and inviting.
Beauchamp said that she wants students to feel that they can be themselves, because when we all feel celebrated and honored then the whole community benefits.
“I hope that my son in kindergarten will grow up seeking diversity in his life, and unlike me as a child, be exposed to all different types of children in his classroom,” Beauchamp said.

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