Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell lauded Widener Law and Dean Linda L. Ammons for the school's commitment to promoting diversity and the leadership role the school demonstrated by hosting the second-annual Dean?s Leadership Forum on Diversity.
"It's extraordinarily impressive," Rendell said, looking out at a forum audience of nearly 200 people, "and I congratulate you."
Rendell was one of a host of political, legal, business and educational leaders to speak at the event, held Monday, March 17 on the Harrisburg campus. Ammons founded the diversity forum in 2007 with a daylong examination of diversity in higher education. This year's event focused on state government. Other speakers included Pennsylvania Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus; former Philadelphia Mayor John Street; former Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams; and Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann.
Ammons introduced Rendell as the first speaker of the day. The governor talked about the importance of state government supporting minority- and women-owned businesses, his appointment of the Commonwealth's first chief diversity officer - who also spoke at the forum - and his belief that Pennsylvania is fighting an important battle over the viability of the economy.