Valparaiso University students, staff, faculty and community members celebrated the dedication this fall of the Gandhi-King Center for Diversity and Global Engagement.

The Gandhi-King Center, located in Harre Union, will bolster global education and diversity throughout Valpo’s academic programs and campus life and house the University’s Office of Multicultural Programs and Office of International Programs .

Members of the University community chose to name the center after spiritual and political leaders Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and harness their common outlook on improving relations among all humanity.

“We must dedicate our efforts to continuing their work,” said President Mark Heckler during a Sept. 23 dedication ceremony.

President Heckler said the Gandhi-King Center will honor the past accomplishments by fostering diversity and international engagement on campus, in the region and beyond.

Those attending the dedication ceremony enjoyed a cultural event featuring gospel music, Indian classical music and multimedia presentations about global learning and diversity.

“The Gandhi-King Center will provide a place of comfort and a home away from home for our students,” said Jane Bello-Brunson, director of multicultural programs. “Our efforts will extend the center itself to make diversity and global engagement an integral part of Valpo.”

The Office of Multicultural Programs offers numerous programs supporting a community of learners that value and support diversity, cultural competency and multicultural education. It also works with student organizations including the Asian American Association, Latinos in Valparaiso for Excellence and the Black Student Organization.

Fourteen percent of Valpo's freshmen this fall were members of an ethnic minority, and members of traditionally under-represented minorities compose 27 percent of Valpo's first-year law students.

In recent years, Valpo has welcomed greater numbers of international students, coming from countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, India, Brazil, Zimbabwe and dozens of other nations. This fall, the number of international students on campus rose to 345 (304 on non-immigrant visas), making up more than 8 percent of Valpo’s student body.

Valpo was awarded the prestigious 2008 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization by NAFSA-Association of International Educators, the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to global learning. The award recognized Valpo as a model for other institutions of higher education in preparing graduates with strong cross-cultural skills and global awareness.