Where:
Life Sciences Building, University at Albany uptown campus, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y.

When:
Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Featured speaker:
12:45-1:30 p.m., Orlando Patterson, John Cowles professor of sociology at Harvard University, "The Ecumenical Candidate?: Obama, Diversity, and Changing Ethno-Racial Identities in America."

Who:

• Orlando Patterson, John Cowles professor of sociology at Harvard University
• Dr. Peter Delany, program director for Health Services Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health
• Provost Susan Herbst, officer in charge, University at Albany

Background:
The conference's purpose is to encourage conversation within the University community; to engage in conversation on issues related to the nation's historically diverse and underserved populations; and to facilitate the exchange of research across the disciplines. During the conference, internationally-renowned scholar Orlando Patterson will offer both theoretical and practical insights on the dilemmas many people face in addressing and working with diverse population groups. Conference presentations will cover a broad range of diversity issues, ranging from the politics of the disabled body to Poospatuck Indian needs assessment.