Dublin Core
Title
Virginia Tech Vice Presidents Oral History with Karen DePauw Part 2, February 3, 2015 (Ms2024-082)
References
Description
In this second interview with Dr. Karen DePauw, she explains what fighting for social justice looks like and why it is so important. She speaks in-depth on how she helped to transform the graduate program at Virginia Tech.
When coming to Virginia Tech, Karen felt that the campus was not very inclusive nor supportive. Her work with disabled people in the past had made her very aware of injustices and led her to advocate for people in different minority groups all through her career.
When first coming to Blacksburg in 2002, Karen's partner Shelli Fowler was declined a faculty position, leading to a large backlash against the Board of Visitors. She remarks on how supportive the community was of her and how important the outreach of individuals proved to be. The encouragement from the community is what made Karen decide to stay in Blacksburg and fight against the discrimination she was facing.
Karen highlights the importance of having specific statements against discrimination based sexual orientation or gender to protect students and faculty alike. When recounting her experiences with discrimination from other faculty and administration, she shows the importance of inclusion and acceptance.
In ending, she talks about how she came to Virginia Tech to help the graduate program progress and help it find its footing. Coming to the school at the beginning of the 21st century, she knew that many changes needed to be implemented to help the school innovate and continue to prosper.
When coming to Virginia Tech, Karen felt that the campus was not very inclusive nor supportive. Her work with disabled people in the past had made her very aware of injustices and led her to advocate for people in different minority groups all through her career.
When first coming to Blacksburg in 2002, Karen's partner Shelli Fowler was declined a faculty position, leading to a large backlash against the Board of Visitors. She remarks on how supportive the community was of her and how important the outreach of individuals proved to be. The encouragement from the community is what made Karen decide to stay in Blacksburg and fight against the discrimination she was facing.
Karen highlights the importance of having specific statements against discrimination based sexual orientation or gender to protect students and faculty alike. When recounting her experiences with discrimination from other faculty and administration, she shows the importance of inclusion and acceptance.
In ending, she talks about how she came to Virginia Tech to help the graduate program progress and help it find its footing. Coming to the school at the beginning of the 21st century, she knew that many changes needed to be implemented to help the school innovate and continue to prosper.
Date
Type
Identifier
Ms2024-082_KarenDePauw_2