Northwest Vista College faculty and staff attended the 11th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony sponsored by the Dialogue Institute of Southwest.
Held at the University of the Incarnate Word, the event was held on Thursday, April 7 as a way to promote intercultural-interfaith dialog and peace in San Antonio and the region.
[image 1]Representing Northwest Vista College were:
- Dr. Amy Whitworth, vice president of Academic Success
- Migdalia Garcia, coordinator of NVC Community Engagement
- Steven E. Gonzales, NVC Math faculty
- Destiny Harper-Lane, coordinator of the NVC Welcome Center
- Neil Lewis, coordinator of NVC Humanities
- Carlos Lopez, chair of NVC Humanities
- Kara Paige, associate professor of NVC Sociology
- Melissa Monroe-Young, NVC public information officer
- Renata Serafin, director of NVC public relations
- Cindy Zamudio, associate director of NVC Student Success
Several of these employees have worked to first build and then enhance the NVC’s peace and conflict resolution program. Some of these employees also work on similar intercultural dialogue and diversity initiatives at the college and in the community.
Keynote speaker San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor addressed an audience of many organizations that included UIW, St. Mary’s University, Bazar Istanbul, Inner City Development, UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, Riverwalk Educational Foundation, the Rivard Report, and members of various cultural and faith groups.
“It was very moving and inspiring to have such a diverse audience at the 11th Annual Dialogue and Friendship event,” said associate professor of NVC Sociology Kara Paige, who first founded the Peace and Conflict Resolution program at NVC.
“In a time of great divisiveness—especially brought on by political leaders—it is vital that we address and embrace the diverse communities that co-exist in San Antonio and the United States at large,” she added.
NVC 2014 Alumnus Trevor Chauvin emceed the event. Trevor received his Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. He is currently working on the city of San Antonio’s Tri-Centennial Office, which is charged with commemorating the city’s 300th anniversary.
Trevor acknowledged Northwest Vista College several times at the Dialogue and Friendship Dinner as his alma mater and as the event’s co-sponsor.