2016-2017 Presidential Series Recap

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Ask more. Engage intentionally. Think differently. Presidential Series on Inclusivity. 2016-17 Recap

Beth Stelling, comedian and Miami '07 alum

Homecoming, Saturday, September 17, 2016, Wilks Theatre

Celebrating an Alum Who is a Funny Woman Succeeding in a Man's World

  • Presented in collaboration with Late Night Miami and the Miami University Alumni Association for Homecoming Week
  • Theatre Majors participated in a Q&A with Beth about the professional life being a comedian and writer
  • Miami University's Alumni Association hosted a post-show meet & greet event uptown at The Bow Tie Barber Club
Beth Stelling with President Greg Craword
Beth Stelling on stage
Beth Stelling talking to a room full of students

Dear World

December 7-8, 2016 | Hall Auditorium, Shade Family Room, Wilks Theatre

Giving Voice to Everyone & Creating Community

  • A community building project in three acts, this live storytelling experience portrait shoot created an interactive opportunity for individuals to be heard, for strangers to become friends, and Miami to embrace differences across our campus and community.
  • A day-long photo shoot and portrait reveal at the Armstrong Student Center, presented in partnership with I AM MIAMI, Student Activities, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Associated Student Government 

VIP Photo Shoot: A broad variety of campus, student and community leaders came together to write their message to the world on their skin. Portraits were shared immediately via social media to inspire participation.

Open Photo Shoot: Peers assisted participants in determining and writing their messages. Then participants sat for their portraits.

Live Photo Reveal Event: Four Miamians shared their moving stories and portrait onstage, followed by a slide show of all the portraits taken (See all photos on Facebook)

Board of Trustees Member Terry Hershey at Dear World
President Crawford and Renate getting their picture taken at Dear World
Dear World Reveal with man speaking at podium

It Gets Better Tour

Feb. 20-25, Hall Auditorium

Week-long Community Residency Addressed Issues of Sexual Orientation and Bullying at Miami, Talawanda High School and Oxford through Interactive Conversations & Performances

  • Miami University, the Associated Student Government and City of Oxford declared Feb. 20-25 It Gets Better Week at a Kick-off Dinner for the Steering Team and community leaders.
  • We brought people together to identify issues through series of cast-led facilitated dialogues and presentations with key constituencies:

Miami employees, hosted by Miami Human Resources and Academic Personnel

Miami Student Affairs professionals

Miami Residence Life professional staff

Miami LGBTQ+ students, hosted by Spectrum and Diversity Affairs Council

Members of the Oxford community (Facilitated Dialogue hosted by United Way and Oxford PFLAG)

Talawanda Middle and High School teachers

Talawanda High School students

All participants were invited to the World Café problem-solving process, posing questions about how to address the issues that had surfaced throughout the week with the goal of identifying actionable solutions.

  • Over 40 students, staff and community members formed the It Gets Better Community Chorus and performed with the cast in the show, serving as beacons of support for the community.
  • Late Night Miami hosted a piano cabaret/open mic with the cast at the Armstrong Student Center.
  • President & Dr. Crawford hosted a reception in their home prior to the show, inviting members of the LGBTQ+ campus community, allies, and Miami alumni via the 1809 LGBT Alumni Association, then attended the performance with their guests.
  • The audience enjoyed a post-show talk-back with cast, Miami president, and community chorus director.
Spectrum students with the cast of It Gets Better
World Cafe process with community and campus leaders
Community Chorus singing on stage

Judgment at Nuremberg, LA Theatre Works

Thursday, April 13, Hall Auditorium

Award-winning Play About War Crimes Tribunal Offered a Platform to Celebrate the Legacy of an Important Miamian

  • The life and legacy of John Dolibois '42 was honored at the show by recognizing all Miamians who have attended or taught at the Miami University Dolibois European Center in Luxembourg. We also recognized all Miamians who have received either the John E. Dolibois Alumni Award or Dolibois Faculty Award
  • Members of the cast had lunch with The Knolls of Oxford residents, sharing stories about WWII and life on the road
  • Miami history professor Erik Jensen joined the cast onstage for a lively post-show talk-back with the audience
Post-Show talk-back with members of the cast
Celebrating the legacy of John Dolibois
Members of the cast with residents at the Knolls of Oxford