Eighty-five years ago, on Nov. 25, 1935, the first Virginia chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews was founded at what was then Lynchburg College.
Known today as the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, the organization has the goal of “addressing prejudices, in all forms, in order to improve academic achievement, increase workplace productivity, and enhance local trust.”
A bronze plaque at “Friendship Circle,” located at the center of the University of Lynchburg Dell, commemorates the chapter’s founding and stands as a testament to the University’s continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
An editorial commemorating the 85th anniversary of the VCIC’s founding, “Standing Up for What is Right for 85 years,” ran in the Lynchburg News & Advance on Sunday, Nov. 22. It was submitted by Dr. Alison Morrison-Shetlar, president of the University; Dr. Robert Canida, Lynchburg’s vice president for inclusive excellence; Jodi Gillette, chair of the VCIC’s Lynchburg chapter; and Jonathan Zur, VCIC president and CEO.
You can read it here.