Five Diversity Scholars at EKU participated in a “unique cultural experience” recently when they took a full tour of the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati.
The Scholars were joined on the tour by an EKU Guru, a graduate assistant with the Dr. Rodney Gross Scholars Program, Dr. Timothy Forde and Dr. Lara Vance. Also, EKU Foundation Board member Paul Chellgren and his wife, Deborah joined the tour and hosted the group at the Metropolitan Club in Covington for dinner.
The Chellgrens’ $500,000 donation endowed the Chellgren Success Series at the University’s Student Success Center and the operating budget for the center. Mr. Chellgren is a board member of the Taft Museum.
“The goal of the trip was to provide the students with a unique cultural experience,” said Vance, director of the Student Success Center. “This allowed them to experience a full tour of an art museum that is in a historic home. Not only did they learn about the art in the museum, but they also learned about how art is collected and displayed. They heard some of the business elements of running a museum, as well.
“At our dinner, they asked the Chellgrens questions about their education, how they got to where they are today, and then learned about the various boards and endeavors in which the Chellgrens are active.”
Forde is chief diversity officer and special assistant to the executive vice president at EKU.