To the Whitworthian Editor:

In the October 10 issue, two articles discussed diversity at Whitworth. One noted that Whitworth has been awarded, along with other colleges and universities, the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award; the other article discussed the fact that this year’s entering class is the most diverse in Whitworth’s history. Public statements regarding diversity at Whitworth both acknowledge and affirm the value of students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds, first generation college students, and international students

Last semester I taught a class, Justice and Difference, in which approximately 20% of the class identified as members of the LGBTQ community. Whitworth’s statement titled, “Christ-Centered Rationale for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” asserts: “The triune God is love, and God freely created the world as an outpouring of love. Creation is intensely diverse, and God loves everything in it.” Someday I hope that LGBTQ students, staff, and faculty will also be included in public affirmations of diversity at Whitworth.

Sincerely,

Kathryn A. Lee, Ph.D., J.D.
Professor of Political Science