The Society
Mission Statement
“Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man [humankind] into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men [and women] can only be made free.” – Frederick Douglass, Blessings of Liberty and Education. Speech. 1894
Rising from the bonds of slavery, Frederick Douglass became an abolitionist, social justice educator, and civil rights leader. In the spirit of his life’s work, The Society and West Chester University are committed to inclusive excellence by promoting empowerment through education, social justice through civic engagement, and the advancement of human rights through thoughtful public dialogue. Society members include faculty, administrators, staff, and students who provide leadership, support, and guidance to the West Chester University community regarding multi-cultural education, empowerment, and equality. We invite partners in our fulfillment of this mission.
History
Drawing its content from our campus history of social consciousness and its structure from a variety of models in public life, the Society of West Chester University is an organization comprised of a diverse group of faculty, staff and administrators at West Chester University.
Named in 1983 for one of the 19th century's most distinguished advocates of human freedom, the organization is oriented toward self-help and improvement by offering a collective voice in the affairs of the university.
Its programs also aim to stimulate other groups on campus to enrich our multicultural climate. The Society annually raises money for scholarship funds to increase the economic options available to the student body and to persons of color and those from other ethnic groups as well.
It also seeks, by the example of Douglass, to promote an intellectual standard that is not only grounded in excellence, but also profoundly rooted in the public mission of higher education.
