Wismer Professorship for Gender & Diversity

History

Established by the Office of the Provost, the Wismer Professorship for Gender & Diversity promotes academic scholarship and educational programs concerning gender and diversity. In 1993, the Women’s Resource Center of Loyola Hall was renamed the Patricia Wismer Center with the Wismer Professorship established in 2001 to honor the life and work of Dr. Patricia Wismer, former Chair of the Department of Theology at Seattle University.

The Wismer Professorship for Gender & Diversity studies was instituted in 2001 to:

• Advocate gender equity through educational programs and resources availability
• Enhance women's opportunities for participation and voice in the university community
• Demonstrate leadership models that foster authenticity, collaboration and creativity
• Promote an understanding of, and appreciation for, the values of diversity
• Collaborate with groups on and off campus to develop programs that address shared concerns
• Give voice to local and global achievements and struggles of women
• Work within Jesuit, Catholic and feminist frameworks to affirm issues of social justice

The Wismer Professor collaborates with other programs and initiatives on campus to promote scholarship in and around gender, diversity and justice throughout the Seattle University community.