Ray Warren Multicultural Symposium

The annual Ray Warren Multicultural Symposium is a three-day series of events examining issues of race and ethnicity.  Each year a team of students, with faculty and staff involvement, organizes an array of workshops, lectures, readings, panels, and performances, as well as an art show, to bring people together for conversations about issues such as immigration, public health, civil liberties, and education.  All students are invited to participate in the planning process, and the interdisciplinary nature of the symposium appeals to students from across the College.

One of the highlights each year is Race Monologues, a student performance piece.  In front of a packed house, L&C students use poetry, prose, and sometimes song to express their journeys to understand race, ethnicity, and personal identity. 

Students worked with the Office of Ethnic Student Services (now Multicultural Affairs) to initiate the symposium in 2004 as a way to honor Ray Warren, an L&C alumnus who served as Director of Ethnic Student Services from 1992 until his death in 2004. A tireless advocate and careful listener, Ray left a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.  You can read more about Ray Warren here.

To learn more about the recent 2009 6th Annual Ray Warren
Multicultural Symposium, click here.

Watch this recent video about the Race Monologues, a student performance at the symposium.  

We invite you to look through past symposium programs in our archive.