Dean’s Leadership Forum on Diversity presents successful event on sports

The third-annual Dean’s Leadership Forum on Diversity in sports drew more than 100 people to the Harrisburg campus for a daylong event that provided stimulating discussion on an array of topics.

The sports world is something of a common denominator in our diverse society, Ammons told the crowd assembled March 17 at the forum in the administration building. She welcomed everyone to the event, where experts from some of the nation’s leading law schools spent the day discussing such sports, minorities and the press; disability and sport; the Negro leagues of baseball and domestic violence and athletes.

“I am awed by their prolific research,” Ammons said of the day’s speakers.

Professor Michael Cozzillio, the event’s chief organizer, praised Ammons for her leadership in founding the forum, which in past years has explored topics of diversity in higher education and diversity in state government.

“Her efforts will leave a permanent legacy,” Cozzillio said. “It’s her vision and support that have made it happen.”

In addition to the day’s expert panels, participants also heard a luncheon keynote address from University of New Mexico School of Law Professor Alfred Dennis Mathewson, titled “Sports and the African-American Female: The Often Overlooked Minority.” His remarks were preceded by introductory words from Widener Law Assistant Professor Tonya Evans-Walls, an African-American woman who once competed on the women’s professional tennis circuit.