Wismer Professorship for Gender & Diversity

The Wismer Center was named for Dr. Patricia Wismer, whose vision and dedication to justice in scholarship have inspired and motivated all who knew her.

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.

Located on the first floor of Loyola Hall, the Wismer Center (Loyola 105) serves as a collegial meeting and event space for faculty, staff and students. In collaboration with other academic programs, endowed chairs and faculty and staff colleagues, the current Wismer Professor hosts seminars and event programming for the Seattle University community and the public surrounding themes of immigration, transnationalism, US minorities and identity, and women studies.

THE WISMER PROFESSORSHIP

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 heavily with other programs and initiatives on campus to promote scholarship in and around diversity and justice throughout the Seattle University community.

Seattle University Wismer Center |  Loyola Hall 105  | (206) 296-2597 | wismer@seattleu.edu