NC Celebrates Dufford Diversity & Inclusion Week
Newberry College will celebrate its 12th annual Dufford Diversity & Inclusion Week with a series of events from Oct. 21-27. The series is designed to inspire appreciation for the multiplicities of humanity and bring people together on common ground. This year’s theme is “Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something.”
This year’s program will include the following events, which are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Oct. 21
Keynote and Q&A with Jonathan Haupt and members of the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization
7 p.m. | Gnann Conference Room, Center for Teacher Education
Haupt is the executive director of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literacy Center in Beaufort. He is also a mentor for the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, established in 2021 by Beaufort-area high school students, which now has chapters across the state. The organization was recognized in 2023 by the American Association of School Librarians for its defense of intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights. A ‘meet, greet & eat’ with the keynote speakers will be held at 6 p.m. in the same location.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Literature for Life: Seeing our World through Mirrors and Windows
6 p.m. | Cathy Mitchell Children’s Library, Center for Teacher Education
This event is a discussion on diversity in children’s literature and a celebration of local and Newberry College authors. The celebration will include a presentation by Newberry-born educator and motivational speaker Dr. Timothy B. Hunter.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Wednesday Chapel
10 a.m. | Wiles Chapel
The Rev. Ken Nelson, superintendent for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and a 1990 Newberry College graduate, will deliver the homily at the weekly Wednesday Chapel service.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Makin’ Cake with Dasha Kelly Hamilton
7 p.m. | Newberry Opera House
In hers how, Hamilton slices into American history exploring race, culture and class in a refreshing and fun way. It is storytelling in layers and filled with aha moments and poignant vignettes, digital media and a supporting cast of two on-stage bakers. A cake reception immediately follows the performance. This event is a collaboration with the Newberry Opera House, free for Newberry College students with ID and $15 for general admission.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Beyond the Score: Celebrating Diversity in Music
6 p.m. | Wiles Chapel
Presented by the Newberry College Music Society, this inaugural event features talented performers showcasing works from underrepresented backgrounds.
Dufford Diversity and Inclusion Week began in 2013 with the vision and generosity of Dr. William “Bill” Dufford, class of 1949, who continues to sponsor the program. Dufford made history in 1969 as the school administrator responsible for integrating the Sumter County school system. As an educator, he has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights and quality education for all.
This year’s series is also made possible in part by a grant from South Carolina Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Established in 1973, the council enriches the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians through literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences.
Newberry College will celebrate its 12th annual Dufford Diversity & Inclusion Week with a series of events from Oct. 21-27. The series is designed to inspire appreciation for the multiplicities of humanity and bring people together on common ground. This year’s theme is “Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something.”
This year’s program will include the following events, which are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Oct. 21
Keynote and Q&A with Jonathan Haupt and members of the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization
7 p.m. | Gnann Conference Room, Center for Teacher Education
Haupt is the executive director of the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literacy Center in Beaufort. He is also a mentor for the Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization, established in 2021 by Beaufort-area high school students, which now has chapters across the state. The organization was recognized in 2023 by the American Association of School Librarians for its defense of intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights. A ‘meet, greet & eat’ with the keynote speakers will be held at 6 p.m. in the same location.
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Literature for Life: Seeing our World through Mirrors and Windows
6 p.m. | Cathy Mitchell Children’s Library, Center for Teacher Education
This event is a discussion on diversity in children’s literature and a celebration of local and Newberry College authors. The celebration will include a presentation by Newberry-born educator and motivational speaker Dr. Timothy B. Hunter.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Wednesday Chapel
10 a.m. | Wiles Chapel
The Rev. Ken Nelson, superintendent for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church and a 1990 Newberry College graduate, will deliver the homily at the weekly Wednesday Chapel service.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Makin’ Cake with Dasha Kelly Hamilton
7 p.m. | Newberry Opera House
In hers how, Hamilton slices into American history exploring race, culture and class in a refreshing and fun way. It is storytelling in layers and filled with aha moments and poignant vignettes, digital media and a supporting cast of two on-stage bakers. A cake reception immediately follows the performance. This event is a collaboration with the Newberry Opera House, free for Newberry College students with ID and $15 for general admission.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Beyond the Score: Celebrating Diversity in Music
6 p.m. | Wiles Chapel
Presented by the Newberry College Music Society, this inaugural event features talented performers showcasing works from underrepresented backgrounds.
Dufford Diversity and Inclusion Week began in 2013 with the vision and generosity of Dr. William “Bill” Dufford, class of 1949, who continues to sponsor the program. Dufford made history in 1969 as the school administrator responsible for integrating the Sumter County school system. As an educator, he has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights and quality education for all.
This year’s series is also made possible in part by a grant from South Carolina Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Established in 1973, the council enriches the cultural and intellectual lives of South Carolinians through literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences.
