The Urban League’s national and local offices are calling for Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon to step away from one of his community leadership roles after he made a racist remark during a commencement ceremony last month.
Keon has until Jan. 9 to resign from its board of directors, NWI Urban League Board President Yolanda Davis and President/CEO Vanessa Allen-McCloud said in a letter dated Jan. 5. Additionally, the group is recommending that PNW establishes a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee “to work collaboratively with the NWI Urban League to support and maintain DEI initiatives as a priority on its campus,” the letter reads.
“We’ve provided training to their Athletic Department and Nursing School, so he’s aware of what we do,” she said. “And he needs to be at that table.” “We are group that has the highest standards, and we don’t want to put our reputation on the line ,” Morial said. “I believe in redemption, but this is a high-level position. If he were honorable — and if the Purdue University Board of Trustees were courageous — they would remove him as Chancellor because he no longer has the credibility to lead a prestigious, diverse institution.
Keon came under fire after commencement keynote speaker Jim Dedelow, in his Dec. 10 address, talked about a made-up language he created to entertain his new granddaughter and at one point used it to calm the baby from the stage when she squawked during his speech. “I am truly sorry for my unplanned, off-the-cuff response to another speaker, as my words have caused confusion, pain, and anger,” Keon wrote. “Purdue University Northwest, and I personally, take great pride in being welcoming and inclusive to all people.”
Each member concluded “in addition to its being extremely offensive and insensitive, this offhand attempt at humor was in poor taste, unbecoming of his role as chancellor, and unacceptable for an occasion that should be remembered solely for its celebratory and unifying atmosphere,” Doty said.
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