The 10th Annual Klymyshyn Symposium at Central Michigan University (CMU) celebrated the life and legacy of Ulana Klymyshyn, whose contributions to multicultural inclusion have shaped the university for over three decades. The event held from Feb. 12 to 14 in the Bovee University Center provided an immersive experience for attendees to reflect on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and its ongoing impact at CMU.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us to recognize Ulana Klymyshyn who gave more than 30 years of service to CMU in this multicultural inclusion space,” said Nikita Murray, the director of Diversity Education at CMU and the event organizer. “The entire conference over the next three days has that vibe to it with sessions offered by students, faculty, staff and community members.”

In the midst of an atmosphere defined by round tables with black cloths, silverware wrapped neatly in maroon and glasses of water, attendees discussed important topics related to inclusion and belonging on Feb. 12. Breakfast options included french toast, bacon and hash browns while lunch offered grilled cheese, soup, bread rolls and saltines with fruit pizza as dessert. Amidst the chatter of guests, Murray reflected on the symposium’s importance for the CMU community.

“I hope people will take away a better understanding of what it means to create equal spaces for people, what inclusion really means and what belonging really means," Murray said. “This symposium is an extension of that.”

One of the symposium’s volunteers, Daniel Segura, shared his appreciation for the opportunity to see a wide range of perspectives.

“I’ve been volunteering for this event for just a couple of years, (and) I’ve been at Central for seven,” Segura said. “I like that it gives me a chance to see perspectives from faculty, staff and students from across the campus and you don’t get to see that all of the time. This year there are a bunch of medically oriented sessions and that’s kind of new for this group but it’s really cool to see the different perspectives.”

Segura also remarked on how CMU's vast size leads to a variety of experiences.

“This is a great way to see a snapshot of that diversity,” he said.

Shawna Patterson-Stephens, the vice president for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging at CMU, was met with a standing ovation as she began her keynote address. She began with a moment of silence in remembrance of James Span Jr. before going into the importance of creating equal spaces for all.

Drawing on the words of poet Nayyirah Waheed, Patterson-Stephens told the crowd to “Remember to expand in a period of contraction” and encouraged attendees to “be who you are and stand for that. Don’t change a thing.”

In her speech, Patterson-Stephens also reflected on historical moments that led to a more diverse student body, citing the Morrill Act of 1862, the G.I. Bill (1944), Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Title IX (1972) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) all of which have had lasting effects on institutions like CMU.

“CMU must remain engaged, active and involved,” she said, calling for continued efforts to promote inclusion.

As part of CMU’s ongoing DEI efforts, Patterson-Stephens said the university’s DEI plan is in its second phase, focusing on initiatives such as structured mentoring, socialization programs and assessment. The university also continues to work closely with groups such as the Campus Climate Research Team and the Gender Recognition Policy group.

“We need to make sure people doing this work aren’t alone,” Patterson-Stephens said, emphasizing support for DEI professionals on campus.

Patterson-Stephens also reflected on her trip to London, noting the safety she felt there but also expressing concerns about her son’s safety in the U.S. regarding gun violence. “People say my son is sweet now but when will that change?” she said.

She also shared her worries about racism, asking, “Will he be a hashtag?” as she talked about her younger brother and reflected on the painful legacies of people like George Floyd.

Patterson-Stephens talked about how DEI work is vital and it’s not just a role, it’s a responsibility everyone should embrace. “I don’t need DEI in my title to do the job that I do,” she said.

Alexandrea Ladiski
Shawna Patterson-Stephens (left) and Ulana Klymyshyn (right) posing together at the Klymyshyn Symposium at Central Michigan University on Feb. 12. (CM Life | Alexandrea Ladiski)

She also spoke about the power of resilience and personal agency in shaping inclusive communities.

“Joy is a practice… and we get to decide for ourselves who we’re going to be in moments of hardship,” she said. “We get to decide for ourselves how we’re going to engage with each other, how we’re going to treat each other, how we’re going to embed these ideas into our everyday. Even if we don’t say so explicitly. But our actions show it, and that’s my call to action.”

Klymyshyn’s legacy was central to the event with her contributions highlighted throughout the day. She served as CMU’s first Equity Chair for the Multicultural Education Center (now known as Diversity Education) and was instrumental in the development of programs that promoted racial, cultural and social awareness on campus. Among her significant accomplishments, she helped establish the King-Chávez-Parks College Day Program bringing middle and high school students to CMU and created the first CMU Pow Wow, a space for indigenous students, faculty and staff to come together.

Stan Shingles, interim vice president of student affairs at CMU, took time to honor Klymyshyn's work.

“We’re going to put respect on Ulana Klymyshyn,” he said. “She is an advocate for others. Ulana Klymyshyn is the mother of DEI at Central Michigan University.”

He concluded with a heartfelt tribute, “Today you receive your flowers with the naming of the symposium in your honor. You’ve certainly left CMU better than you found it and today we thank you for your incredible contributions.”

During the symposium, Alice Tait, a professor at CMU, presented Klymyshyn with a gift and said, “Thank you so much for your contribution. You changed this institution.”

Klymyshyn shared her reflections on the importance of multicultural programming at CMU, acknowledging the hard work of students of color, particularly the multicultural fraternities and sororities that fought for more inclusive curricula and representation in the early 1990s.

“I thank the LGBTQ students for the trust they had in me,” Klymyshyn said, remembering how she learned from students in the LGBTQ community despite initially knowing little about their experiences.

One of Klymyshyn’s lasting impacts is the legacy of DEI at CMU, which she said was “based on a deceptively simple notion: that all people regardless of our social identities share our basic humanity.” Her comments resonated with the audience who responded with a round of applause.

Klymyshyn addressed the challenges still facing society today, particularly in relation to the pushback against DEI efforts.

“We are in a period of backlash,” she said. “Obama's election and re-election flies in the face of white supremacy. White supremacy or racism, discrimination corrodes minds so if I buy into it, it makes me less of a human being.”

She ended her remarks with a powerful call to action, urging attendees to reject the myths of white supremacy and take personal responsibility for creating a more inclusive society.

“Get to know someone who is different than you are and ask them out to lunch,” she said. “Read banned books. Support your local PBS programs. Pursue your happiness.”

The event concluded with a standing ovation for Klymyshyn and a commitment to carry forward her vision of inclusion and belonging.