Central Michigan University

Designing diversity: CMU students create posters for display

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Topics in this story: American politics and society, Art, Arts and events, College of Communication and Fine Arts, Institutional Diversity, Public Relations and Marketing

Promote diversity without using the word "diversity." That was the challenge issued by one Central Michigan University art faculty member to his students.

In response, the 40 students in David Stairs' Art 449: Advanced Typography course submitted a variety of 2-by-3 posters, with some taking a serious approach and others using a bit of humor or irony to make their points.

Selected by professor of art Stairs, Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity Denise O'Neil Green, and public relations and marketing Assistant Director of Publications Sydnee MacKay, 10 of the posters are on display through May 2 in the first-floor hallway of the Charles V. Park Library and will move to the Rose Center/Student Activity Center complex for display during the May 3 commencement ceremonies.

Students whose posters are on display are: Petoskey senior Andrew Dawley, Elkton senior Matt Santos, Mount Pleasant senior Ashley Petrash, Grand Rapids junior Quan Chenh, Traverse City senior Kathy Britton, Canton senior Tomo Kawai, Herron senior Cody Yachasz, Brownstown senior Michelle Snay, Manistique senior Desiree Downing and Pewamo senior Gavin Pohl.

Poster by Andrew Dawley








"They had some pretty lively class discussions which, I think, really helped them understand the value of diversity and the importance of it, as well as the effects of stereotypes and prejudices," said MacKay, who created the poster contest idea as part of the university's diversity communication plan.

An additional five posters were selected to be part of a Multicultural Education Center exhibition and discussion scheduled to take place during the fall 2008 semester.

A required class project for Stairs' students, the poster contest was sponsored by the art department, the Office for Institutional Diversity, and the Office of Public Relations and Marketing.