Dr. Patricia Grasty Gaines

In 1999, West Chester University of Pennsylvania lost an invaluable pioneer and leader in multicultural education. To honor, recognize, and continue her mission, West Chester University has created a Multicultural Leadership Seminar to be held annually in memory of our own Dr. Patricia Grasty Gaines, an African American woman

and a well respected professor who was instrumental in advancing the understanding and importance of multicultural education throughout the region. Dr. Patricia Grasty Gaines was co-founder of the Frederick Douglass Institute and faculty member at West Chester University for thirty years in the Department of Literacy. Her perspective on multiculturalism is integrated into the fabric of the School of Education curriculum for all of our students, our pre-service teachers, and our in-service teachers.

In April 2001, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop marked a moment in the history of the university by giving the inaugural lecture on multiculturalism that set a high standard and tone for us to follow. The event was a first for West Chester University in naming an endowed lecture for an African American faculty member. Over seventy-five friends, family, and colleagues who made leadership contributions to help start this seminar attended. In this very short time the dream has realized almost $50,000 in contributions.

However, our goal is to reach $100,000 over the next two years to establish this endowment and to support this lecture series on an annual basis. We continue to need support and encouragement to build on this work. A highly visible and annual multicultural lecture is vital to West Chester University and its community. It is essential that we continue to provide the opportunity for our campus community to learn about our diverse intellectual heritage. We have already begun inscribing our second plaque and your name will appear on the plaque outside of the Frederick Douglass Institute on the fourth floor of Green Library.