This is My OSU: A Destination of Choice
Diversity Essay Contest
Overview
All OSU students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to read the following five one-page essays and choose the one that best addresses making OSU a destination of choice for those that are committed to diversity and inclusion.
The term “Destination of Choice” came from one of President Ray’s university day speeches and the “This is My OSU” slogan was created by the University Advancement office.
Meet the Candidates:
Dalicia Fennell
Dalicia Fennell is a sophomore from Sutherlin, OR majoring in English and Education through the education double degree program. Her inspiration for her essay was her observation of how self-segregated many students are in social situations. She believes that developing diversity through social interactions forms real friendships and would create true campus diversity, not just a surface appearance of it. Dalicia plans to teach high school language arts, hopefully in Oregon.
Rose Hansen
Rose Hansen is a junior from Florence, OR and Sitka, AK majoring in Recreation Resource Management and Writing. Her inspiration for her essay came from her experiences and dialogues with people of color, people of multiple economic, social, religious, sexual and geographic backgrounds while matriculating through the public school system. Rose plans to work as a freelance writer after graduating from OSU.
Matthew Holland (Winner)
Growing up in Corvallis, Oregon, Matthew Holland didn't give much thought to diversity. Now Matt believes that we are standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and his beliefs - expressed through his award winning essay - have earned him one year of paid tuition at Oregon State University. Inspired by his Philosophy class, Ethics of Diversity and Professor Lani Roberts, he says that "from slavery to suffrage to civil rights, the road ahead is not as long as it once was, and we must do our part today."
Jason Kniss
Jason Kniss is a senior from Beaverton, OR majoring in Biology. His inspiration for his essay came from his work with University Housing and Dining where they strive to facilitate the development of inclusive and vibrant communities. He believes that that its one thing to attend a workshop or lecture on diversity but quite another to live in it day to day, experiencing the qualitative and quantitative effects of our efforts. Jason plans to attend graduate school to study either Higher Education Administration or Student Services.
Kimberly Takata
Kimberly Takata is a sophomore from Kaneohe, HI majoring in Bioengineering. Her inspiration came from her college applications and how important it was to her to attend a school that was considered diverse. She wanted to propose something that might reach her classmates; something that everyone could be involved in. After graduate school, Kimberly plans a career in some sort of science or medical/research related field, lots of travel and continuing to dance and sew.
We received 101 one-page essays. The identities of the writers were kept anonymous, 37 students, staff and faculty (including President Ray) read the essays and each essay was read by at least 5 different people.
The top five essays are being presented to the campus for “American Idol” style voting. The winner will be awarded one academic year’s worth of tuition at the undergraduate, in-state rate.
Essay Contest Readers
Thanks to the following people for serving as readers for the essays:
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- Amas Aduviru
- Wendy Aleman
- Bonnie Avery
- Jessica Cardinal-Lanier
- Ruben Casas
- Diane Davis
- Guadalupe Diaz
- Paul Dorres
- Stacy Edwards
- Christina Fierro
- Kathy Fultz
- Corrine Gerig
- Shawna Harvey
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- Elaine Hayashi
- Lisa Hoogestege
- Nick Houtman
- Brittany Joseph
- Pat Ketcham
- Mitra Kiani
- Joscelyne Kravitz
- Catherine Lanier
- Urmila Mali
- Amalia Martinez
- Charlotte Moats-Gallagher
- Jeff Malone
- Dawn Moyer
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- Matt Ogawa
- Laura Peckyno
- Lissa Perrone
- Ed Ray
- Terryl Ross
- Rick Settersten
- Robbin Sim
- Marilyn Stewart
- Renee Stowell
- Carl Thomas
- Sarah Williams
Next Steps
This essay contest is part of a plan to get student input to help campus leaders collaborate and focus efforts on diversity-related issues. The Office of Community and Diversity will be putting out a call for collaboration to help address the issues raised in the winning essay.
We hope you will all support this effort.
For More Information
Contact Terryl Ross at (541) 737-4384 or Terryl.Ross@oregonstate.edu
