Wilmington College was founded in 1870 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), who are known for the promotion of the ideals of social justice, peacemaking, respect for all persons and the equality of all people. The College still strives to incorporate each of these qualities throughout its campus-wide programs.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion coordinates educational, cultural, and social programs designed to educate and inspire all students. Our mission is to promote an inclusive college climate by acting as an educational resource that prepares students to succeed in a diverse society.
Additionally, this office serves as a resource for the entire campus community, while providing multicultural students and their families with a direct and centralized connection to Wilmington College. All are welcome to stop by and discuss concerns related to race, gender, religion, sexuality, or ability.
LSA
LSA is a group composed of all students with various backgrounds and ethnicities! This group was started by Latinx students to bring awareness to the Hispanic community. We strive to learn, give, and bring more information to campus about the Hispanic culture. LSA sponsors several events throughout the year with the hopes of bringing multiple cultures together and to spread information about our heritage.
WC PRIDE
WCPride is an organization that strives to give both queer individuals and allies a place where they can feel safe to express their identity. WC PRIDE strives to educate others and themselves, by raising awareness about sexual and gender identities, and working with other campus groups towards eliminating intolerance and prejudice. While we plan fun events to break up our schoolwork on campus, we also like to observe issues both on and off campus and practice activism.
BSI
Concerned Black Students (CBS) started in the 1970s to help students of color feel accepted on Wilmington College campus. Shortly after its formation, students of the organization occupied College Hall during the president's inauguration day. The students’ protest was to bring awareness of the lack of financial aid distribution and other resources for students of color. If it wasn't for those students that protested in the 70s, students of color would not have the opportunities we do today. Twenty-four years later, with the introduction of the Multicultural Student Union, Concerned Black Students (CBS) was rebranded as Black Student Initiative (BSI). BSI seeks to unify students from all backgrounds, with a focus on inclusion and belonging for African-American students, to express, celebrate, and share their heritage. BSI sponsors a wide variety of programs for the campus and surrounding community.
International Club
Wilmington College's International Club is designed to benefit both international students and the general population of American students and serves to enhance the institution's embracing of diversity. The Club is open to both international and domestic students and seeks to share an appreciation for cultures found outside southwest Ohio and also to help introduce those students from outside the area to the uniqueness of Wilmington and Clinton County. The Club meets regularly for Sunday afternoon excursions to such destinations as museums, professional sporting events, i-MAX films, canoeing, international festivals, unique attractions and international cuisine. The Club has given back to the campus by hosting the popular International Food Festivals, which typically draw 200-plus from the College community, as well as presenting special programs highlighting international travel and cultures.
JCC
JCC is a student group that seeks to unite students of Wilmington College interested in sharing, celebrating, and learning about Jewish and Israeli culture. The purpose of JCC is to provide all interested students, Jewish or not, with an opportunity to interact and promote cultural awareness and reaffirmation through events and programming. Through the organization and its members, JCC hopes to foster solidarity among Jewish students and harmony among all students at Wilmington College.
ISA
The Indigenous Student Association strives to foster harmony among all students at Wilmington College. With Southwest Ohio being an area rich in Native American culture, students of WC formed the Indigenous Student Association (ISA). With ISA being the most internally diverse of all of WC’s cultural organizations, their purpose is to provide students, with native ties or not, with an opportunity to explore and discover the vast beauty of the Native American heritage. This is done via both on and off campus events and programming.
Wilmington College Connections
This program is designed to make an underrepresented student’s transition to college a successful one. This program matches incoming students with returning student leaders who have received training to serve as mentors. “Connections” is the operative term for this program as our mission is to connect with the incoming student and assist them to connect with the WC campus and resources. Many of our current student leaders are products of this program.
Leadership Opportunities
A significant percentage of our key positions on campus are held by students of color. These positions include:
WC MULTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS
Martin Luther King Celebration
Black History Month Activities
WC African Village
Women’s History Month Activities
Festival of Women in Music & Art
Westheimer Peace Symposium
Issues & Artists Series (Lecturers and Entertainment)
The International Jam
Group Outings
Leadership Conferences
Various Guest Speakers
Perspectives
ADMINISTRATIVE
“Diversity begins with appreciating one’s self and all of what makes you unique – your hair, your skin, your attitudes and beliefs. That self-appreciation then becomes the impetus for real, open, and honest dialogue which leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of our differences.”
FACULTY
“I’ve taught at other schools where probing questions on race and ethnicity were met with silence from students. I’m pleased that at Wilmington College, with more representation from minority students, questions on race and ethnicity are examined from various perspectives in an open and honest forum in which all feel free to participate regardless of the makeup of the class.”
Dr. Jeffrey P. Stahley
Associate Professor of Spanish
ALUMNI
“Wilmington College allowed me to grow into the person I am thankful of being today. The friendly and helpful environment on campus encouraged me to work hard with my studies and at the same time I made lifelong friends among the students as well as the faculty. Wilmington College will forever be a part of me and for that I am proud!”
Maria Larsen – Sweden
Class of 2012
STUDENT
“It was a unique series of circumstances that brought me to Wilmington College. After spending the majority of my life in foster care, I was unsure about where my life would lead me. I chose what I believe is my road to success — going to college. Since enrolling at WC, I have developed into a capable student, but even more so, the College has given me the opportunity to become a leader. I have been involved with football, musical groups and theatre. I joined a fraternity and I have also served as a resident assistant, orientation team leader and peer mentor. This year I was selected to serve on the Presidential Search Committee and I was elected president of student government. Wilmington has presented me with the resources I will need to succeed, not only throughout college but for the rest of my life.”
Quatez “Q” Scott
Class of 2012
“Wilmington College offers small-sized classes and friendly campus life atmosphere, enabling me to closely interact with teachers and other students. As a chemistry major student, I appreciate the individual discussions with instructors and hands-on experiences with various instruments. I really enjoy my time at Wilmington College.”
Li Wang
Class of 2015