About Us

PROGRESS of DIVERSITY at UNH

  • May 2006, First Diversity Celebration Banquet for an inclusive community of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and members of the external community
  • September 2005, UNH’s Diversity Plan endorsed and implemented to advance goals of previous diversity proposals developed in 1994, 1991, and 1989
  • January 2005, First Vice Provost for Diversity, Dr. Wanda Mitchell, appointed
  • April and June, 2004, Faculty Senate Diversity Statement and the University’s Commitment to Diversity Statement endorsed and developed
  • 2001, The President’s Commission on the Status of GLBT Issues established, originating from the GL Task Force in 1992
  • 1999, Common Purposes, a floor in Devine Hall, developed to promote diversity among students
  • 1999, Domestic Partner Benefits instituted at UNH
  • 1997, The President’s Commission on the Status of People of Color established
  • 1991, Departments develop their first action plan for establishing five-year affirmative action goals to increase the representation of women and minority faculty and staff
  • 1990, The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Office (OMSA) created
  • 1985, First high-ranking African American administrator, Dr. Carmen Buford, Associate Dean of Students, appointed
  • 1980, First woman president, Dr. Evelyn Handler, appointed
  • 1979, First African American commencement speaker, Alex Haley
  • 1978, First African American honorary doctorate recipient, Clark Terry
  • 1972, The President’s Commission on the Status of Women established
  • 1968, First African American administrator appointed, Myrna Adams, Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • 1968, First African American faculty, Dr. Lester Fisher, appointed
  • 1927, First woman faculty member, Naomi Ekdahl, appointed
  • 1926, First African American graduate, Elizabeth Ann Virgil
  • 1890, First women, Lucy Swallow and Delia Brown, accepted as students