Campus Events

1/21 Westminster Presents a Diversity Lecture & Discussion by Documentary Film Producer & Director

Dr. Shakti Butler will speak as part of the Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

Dec. 21, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY – As part of the 2009-2010 Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series, Westminster College is pleased to host a diversity lecture by Dr. Shakti Butler on Jan. 21, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. in the Vieve Gore Concert Hall in the Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory.

Dr. Butler is known for her use of documentary film and dialogue groups as vehicles for addressing and working to eliminate racism, sexism, classism and homophobia. She has directed and produced documentaries such as The Way Home, Light in the Shadows, and Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible. Butler also created and implemented a national public dialogue program—Heart-to-Heart Conversations—aimed at facilitating learning and sharing about race and culture while she was the executive director of World Trust Educational Services.

Dr. Butler will speak with the same focus seen in the documentaries, promoting genuine dialogue about difficult issues that can be a vehicle for promoting social justice.

This Bastian Diversity Lecture Series features speakers who have worked to make a difference by creating a new organization or center, developing and implementing strategies for change, and/or being a community activist. Their work reveals how they personally addressed the question, “what can I do?” Through their presentations, they will show us, implicitly or explicitly, what they have done, alone or in collaboration with others, to make a difference.

This event is free and open to the public. The presentation will be followed by an audience question-answer session and discussion. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu/culturalevents.


WHO: Shakti Butler

WHAT: Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series

WHERE: Westminster College
              Vieve Gore Concert Hall, Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory
              1840 South 1300 East
              Salt Lake City, UT

WHEN: January 21, 2010 
            7:30 p.m.


About the Bastian Foundation:
The 2009-2010 Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series at Westminster College is sponsored by the B.W. Bastian Foundation. The foundation, established in 1996 by Bruce Bastian, strives to build community and understanding by supporting local and national institutions. Financial support is directed at artistic, educational, and cultural programs. A strong commitment is placed on programs and organizations that benefit, encourage, and preserve the rights of individuals and promote equality for the gay and lesbian community.

About Westminster
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information visit www.westminstercollege.edu or follow WestminsterSLC on Twitter.