Former HUD Secretary to Speak at Diversity Conference

OGDEN, Utah – Henry Cisneros, former U.S. secretary for Housing and Urban Development, will keynote Weber State University's 11th Annual Diversity Conference, which will be held on Oct. 8-9.

The theme for this year's conference focuses on the economy and diversity, and Cisneros has experience with both. 

In 1981, Cisneros was elected mayor of San Antonio, becoming the first Hispanic-American to run a major U.S. city. He served four terms as the city's top elected official, before joining the Clinton administration in 1993 as the country's HUD secretary. His résumé also includes stints as the president of Univision, the fifth largest television network in America, and the founder of CityView, a firm that builds urban homes for working-class families. 

Cisneros will present his thoughts on the changing population demographics in the United States and the importance of diversity to the economy on Oct. 9 at 8:30 a.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballroom. 

During his presentation, Cisneros will discuss ways the country must change to remain economically competitive in the future. "We need to boost the quality of education and focus on grades K through 16," he said. "We have to integrate immigrants into our society as a matter of policy."

The conference will begin with an opening reception at the Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning's Dumke Legacy Hall on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.. It will continue the next day in the Shepherd Union Building with the keynote address and panel sessions discussing "Ethnics & the Economy," "Health Care Policy Reform," "Social Security" and "Sustainable Business Ethics." The conference's closing remarks will be given by Carol Ugochukwu, executive director for the African branch of the Worldwide Organization of Women.

All events are free to the public. For more information on the conference, contact the Diversity Office at 801-626-6196.

In conjunction with the Diversity Conference, the Worldwide Organization of Women will host the "Women and their Worldwide Influence for Peace Conference" on Oct. 10 in the Shepherd Union Building. The daylong conference will include workshops and speakers discussing topics such as education, home life and women's security from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fees for the WOW conference range from $15 to $40.

Diversity Conference Schedule:

• Oct. 8: Opening Reception, 6-8 p.m., Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning. 

• Oct. 9: Keynote address by Henry Cisneros, 8:30 a.m., Shepherd Union Ballroom.

• Oct. 9: Concurrent panel sessions; 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Shepherd Union Building.

• Oct. 9: Closing remarks by Carol Ugochukwu, 12:30 p.m., Shepherd Union Building.

• Oct. 9: Closing reception, 1:15 p.m., Shepherd Union Building.

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