2024-2025 B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series

The theme for the 2024–25 B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series is "The Inclusive Nature of the Outdoors: The Earth Belongs to All." This theme highlights the connection between people and their natural environments, emphasizing how social and cultural backgrounds and personal experiences shape this relationship. Westminster University, with its unique location in Utah, renowned for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, coupled with a strong emphasis on outdoor leadership and education, aims to use this theme to raise awareness about issues and opportunities related to access, inclusion, and belonging in the environmental sphere. The goal is to promote everyone's health and well-being.

Panelists:

• Stacie Denetsosie, Fiction Writer/Poet
• Maria Estrada, Ph.D., Vice President, Metropolitan Group | Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging
• Richard Ferguson, MD, MBA, Founder, Black Physicians of Utah
• Kellie Gerbers, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Outdoor Education and Leadership, Westminster University

The panel will be moderated by Kirsten Johanna Allen, Co-Executive Director, Publisher, and Co-Founder, Torrey House Press.

The event program begins with introductory remarks and acknowledgments, followed by a mini-talk by Dr. Maria Estrada and then the panel/audience Q&A.

All B.W. Bastian Foundation Diversity Lecture Series events are open to the public and include opportunities for audience members to ask questions. For disability accommodations, please email deievents@westminsteru.edu at least five business days before the event.