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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.
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