Buena Vista University has had many reasons for celebration over the past 10 years: construction of fine new facilities, exciting leadership in learning technology, and outstanding achievements by students and faculty.

But there has been a quiet transformation on our campus over the past three years that is as important as all of the progress in facilities, technology, and academic success in having an impact on what our graduates will contribute to the global society.

That is the growth of diversity. The cover story in this issue of Buena Vista Today is a celebration of this new social climate on our campus.

Eight years ago in my inaugural address as the 17th president of BVU, I stated that this institution must be committed to valuing diversity, “for a community of scholars invites differing backgrounds, cultures, and points of view.”

“Diversity is an area in which we, as a community of scholars, must lead,” I said. “Our endeavor mandates the pursuit of truth and requires us to treat one another with respect and dignity.”

The growth of diversity on campus is having an impact on what our graduates will contribute to the global society. - Fred Moore, President, Buena Vista University

Our community, our region, our nation — and, indeed, the world — are becoming increasingly diverse. In preparing our students for this new world, it is imperative to work towards a campus environment that reflects this cultural shift in our society. To give us direction in this undertaking, I appointed a Diversity Task Force in 1998 to identify and address intercultural issues on campus.

I believe we have come a long way in the past several years, thanks to the strong leadership of our Office of Intercultural Programs and the dedication of students, faculty, and staff.

However, this is but a starting point. This important work will require a lifelong commitment by this Institution.

It is a fundamental obligation of higher education to open doors that our students have never entered before; to open their minds and hearts to the opinions and experiences of others; and to encourage them to share their own beliefs with others so that all might understand and be enriched.

Anything less falls short of the mission of this University.

Frederick V. Moore
President, Buena Vista University

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