Event Title
Panel Response
Document Type
Panel Discussion
Location
Marshall University Don Morris Room
Start Date
13-11-2017 10:15 AM
End Date
13-11-2017 10:45 AM
Description
David M. Fryson is the Vice President for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Virginia University. Within the Division of Diversity, he oversees the Equal Employment Opportunity, Equity Assurance, Office of Accessibility, and Diversity Initiatives. He has practiced law for over 20 years in a variety of legal and advocacy settings. Fryson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from West Virginia State University and was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence from West Virginia University. In 2001, he served a term as the National Vice-President for the legendary Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan's OIC of America establishing a national office in Washington DC. In addition, he has been involved with the NAACP, the Job Corps Centers and assisted with the establishment of West Virginia Multi-Fest the largest diversity gathering in the state. Fryson has been married to the lovely Joy Morris Fryson for 40 + years and they have three children David, Jr., Aaron and Kristina and three grandchildren Aaron Allen, Jr., Aidan Allen and Elijah David.
Cedric S. Gathings serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Marshall University, where he is responsible for fostering an environment of inclusiveness and support for the university’s student body. He oversees critical arms of the university, such as student affairs, recruitment, and admissions programs. Gathings’ 16-year career in higher education began at Mississippi Valley State University in the career services center. Prior to his tenure at Marshall, Gathings served as the interim assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion at Mississippi State University, as well as Assistant Dean of Students. He holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in science from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He is the recipient of several professional awards, including the Mississippi State University Staff Diversity Award in 2012 and the Dedication to Student Life Award at Marshall in 2016. He is a member of the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators, as well as the West Virginia Association of Student Affairs Professionals. Gathings and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Huntington, WV with their three children CJ, Chase, and Cayleigh.
Mr. Ricardo Martin is the President of the Kanawha-Charleston Branch of the NAACP
Donna Sullivan (PhD University of Massachusetts Boston), is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Marshall University. She is a social gerontologist who specializes in productive aging, an approach that includes work and retirement, education and training, volunteerism, caregiving, and advocacy. For her research on “Family Carework in Appalachia” she was awarded the Sarah Denman Faces of Appalachia Fellowship from the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia (CSEGA) in 2011-12. Dr. Sullivan’s current research in on developing an aging livability index for Huntington, WV which will investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and options for the City of Huntington’s older resident population with respect to quality of life and aging-in-place.
Panel Response
Marshall University Don Morris Room
David M. Fryson is the Vice President for the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Virginia University. Within the Division of Diversity, he oversees the Equal Employment Opportunity, Equity Assurance, Office of Accessibility, and Diversity Initiatives. He has practiced law for over 20 years in a variety of legal and advocacy settings. Fryson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from West Virginia State University and was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence from West Virginia University. In 2001, he served a term as the National Vice-President for the legendary Rev. Dr. Leon Sullivan's OIC of America establishing a national office in Washington DC. In addition, he has been involved with the NAACP, the Job Corps Centers and assisted with the establishment of West Virginia Multi-Fest the largest diversity gathering in the state. Fryson has been married to the lovely Joy Morris Fryson for 40 + years and they have three children David, Jr., Aaron and Kristina and three grandchildren Aaron Allen, Jr., Aidan Allen and Elijah David.
Cedric S. Gathings serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Marshall University, where he is responsible for fostering an environment of inclusiveness and support for the university’s student body. He oversees critical arms of the university, such as student affairs, recruitment, and admissions programs. Gathings’ 16-year career in higher education began at Mississippi Valley State University in the career services center. Prior to his tenure at Marshall, Gathings served as the interim assistant vice president for diversity and inclusion at Mississippi State University, as well as Assistant Dean of Students. He holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in science from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He is the recipient of several professional awards, including the Mississippi State University Staff Diversity Award in 2012 and the Dedication to Student Life Award at Marshall in 2016. He is a member of the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators, as well as the West Virginia Association of Student Affairs Professionals. Gathings and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Huntington, WV with their three children CJ, Chase, and Cayleigh.
Mr. Ricardo Martin is the President of the Kanawha-Charleston Branch of the NAACP
Donna Sullivan (PhD University of Massachusetts Boston), is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Marshall University. She is a social gerontologist who specializes in productive aging, an approach that includes work and retirement, education and training, volunteerism, caregiving, and advocacy. For her research on “Family Carework in Appalachia” she was awarded the Sarah Denman Faces of Appalachia Fellowship from the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia (CSEGA) in 2011-12. Dr. Sullivan’s current research in on developing an aging livability index for Huntington, WV which will investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and options for the City of Huntington’s older resident population with respect to quality of life and aging-in-place.
