EPP DEI Committee Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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  October 11th is a day to honor and celebrate Indigenous people, often referred to as the first people or Native people of the world. According to the UN, there are more than 370 million Indigenous individuals residing in 70 countries worldwide, their rich diversity and unique traditions. These communities maintain social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that set them apart from dominant societies. Recognizing the importance of acknowledging and appreciating Indigenous cultures, Entomology and Plant Pathology’s Diversity and Inclusion committee is proud to announce a month-long celebration of Indigenous People’s Day. For a comprehensive schedule of activities, please refer to our calendar.    

A photo of Manuel Lluberas in front of the African Queen

EPP Diversity and Inclusion Committee Invites Manuel Lluberas to Speak on the Control of Insects of Public Health

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    The EPP Diversity and Inclusion Committee has invited Manuel Lluberas, a public health entomologist, to speak about his extensive experience in the control of insects of public health and veterinary importance obtained during the past three decades on September 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM EDT. He served twelve years as medical entomologist and medical intelligence officer for the US Navy attached to the US Marines and have been Executive Director for Public Health for H. D. Hudson Manufacturing Company over twenty-six (26) years. Manuel has provided technical assistance on the design, implementation, evaluation, and technical capacity building on integrated vector management to private and public entities and UN agencies in sixty-three (63) countries in three (3) continents. Some

a flyer for Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and Events

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  September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans and their ancestors who came from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Spain, and Mexico. The achievements of the American Latino community are celebrated nationwide through festivals, community gatherings, and more. The University of Tennessee will be holding events for students and the public throughout the month and these events can be found here. On September 23rd, 2021, Dr. Juan Jurat-Fuentes, professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, will discuss the history of Argentine tango music and dance. This event is free and open to the public.                

world refugee day wording with color hands shaped in a heart

World Refugee Day

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Sunday, June 20th, 2021 is World Refugee Day, an international celebration orchestrated by the United Nations. Officially recognized on June 20th, 2001 (the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees), the day aims to commemorate and honor the grit and strength of those who leave their home countries due to conflict and seek out better lives for themselves and their loved ones.   The UN defines a refugee as “someone who has fled their home due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion”. At least 20 people every minute leave their entire lives behind due to oppression and war-torn conditions (UN.org,

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2021 Awards for EPP!

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Recently, awards of all kinds have been bestowed to many of our wonderful individuals throughout our department and beyond. To just take a moment and be proud, please take a look at this HUGE list of achievements: *Pictures in order of appearance. Not pictured: Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Jessica Krob. Our Diversity & Inclusion Committee was selected as the 2021 winner of the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Inclusion Unit Excellence Award, which recognizes a unit or department that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made consistent contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion at UT. Dr. Scott Stewart was selected for the Entomological Society of America (ESA) Southeastern Branch Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management Award. This award recognizes

Vector colorful yellow illustration with round background and black text. Black history month.

BHM Weekly Highlight– Frederick McKinley Jones & Dr. Gladys West

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This week, the Diversity and Inclusion committee is introducing two more scientists that have contributed to American culture, specifically technology. We are highlighting Frederick M. Jones and Dr. Gladys West for their impact on technology both domestic and global. Jones’s innovations revolutionized the refrigeration industry and Dr. West’s research was vital to modern technology, from GPS in phones to precision farming.