Panel stresses diversity in workplace, school

Food is sometimes called the universal language, bringing people together from all walks of life. Diversity in academic and business settings was the focus of Monday's dinner at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom hosted by the Diverse Business Students Association, the Rutgers Business Governing Association and Career Services. "Diversity is absolutely essential to our future," University President Richard L. McCormick said. "A great and wide range of individuals live in New Jersey." McCormick's remarks, followed by a panel discussion with local business and academic figures. "Diversity lives in how an organization resolves conflict," said Bruce Hill, the manager of Diversity and Campus Relations at the Eli Lilly and Company. Companies must emphasize the importance of individuals when trying to assimilate employees, especially minorities, Hill said. The panelists also offered advice on how prospective employees can decide whether a potential employer is committed to diversity. Greg Parris, the senior director of Finance at the McGraw-Hill Company, urged job seekers to first find out what public statements the company has made about diversity, and then get the opinions of current employees to see if the company's rhetoric is consistent. Hill recommended potential employees also seek opinions of people no longer with the company, but to keep in mind they may be disgruntled for personal reasons. McCormick said the University promotes diversity because it is right and facilitates a better learning environment. Although it may be comfortable for people to be around others just like them, it does not remotely expand one's brain, he said. Integration at the University has required tremendous courage and leadership throughout the years, but the work is not finished, he said. McCormick also said the Rutgers Future Scholars Program - which allows University students to reach out to middle school students in large New Jersey cities and promises them full scholarships to the University if admitted - as a step to promote more diversity. Patricia David, the global head of Diversity and Talent Management for Citigroup's Markets and Banking division, asked why the concept of diversity is usually limited to race. "People unfortunately have a wrong view of what diversity is," she said. "We get bogged down with race because this country pushes it on us, [but] I choose to ignore it." David said placing executives in situations that make them uncomfortable could promote companies' awareness of - and commitment to - diversity, giving the example of placing a straight white male executive in charge of a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender affinity group. The panelists agreed there was a correlation between diversity and innovation. Gregory S. Blimling, the vice president for Student Affairs at the University, said a recent study concluded diversity makes people smarter and forces them to connect in different ways with different kinds of people. "One of the fastest-growing populations on our campus is the Muslim population," he said. Hill said creativity lives and breathes in the differences between people. After the panel, awards were presented to outstanding business school seniors and alumni. Alumni honored included Charles J. Citro and Milwood Hobbs, executives at Goldman Sachs; Goran Avdicevic, the vice president at Bear Stearns; Greg Francfort, the president of Francfort & Company; and Scott E. White, the director at Citigroup. Martin Markowitz, the associate dean of the Rutgers Business School, called diversity a must in today's business climate, not an option. He said his experience with the University's executive MBA program in China reinforced the importance of diversity. Richard White, the director of Career Services, said diversity is good for both corporate culture and business. He said he thinks people are changing for the better. Aaron White of Alpha Kappa Psi, a special interest fraternity for professional business students, said the event was a good learning experience. "The panel definitely showed that diversity is in practice and not just something [companies] marketed," said Christine Amores, another member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Ajay Patel of Beta Alpha Psi, an honor society for the financial information field, said he enjoyed having an event more geared toward students than job recruiters. "It was good to have all the [business-oriented student] organizations under one roof," he said. DBSA Internal Affairs Vice President, Arjun Misra, a Rutgers College sophomore who is also a diversity intern for Career Services, coordinated the event. He said the dinner allowed them to celebrate diversity. "The Diversity Dinner was the first of its kind to unify the many business organizations on campus, as well as recognize the achievements of both past and present students," said Deva Mohammad, the co-coordinator of the event. Hardevi Shah, another co-coordinator, said the event was a success. "Looking around the room, it is evident that this event's mission has come to life. With the underlying theme of diversity, I witness the exchange of ideas between students, administrators, alumni and representatives," Shah said.