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Five years ago, Ronald E杏吧原版檃n Pierce 杏吧原版�16 attended the ribbon cutting that marked the official opening of the University杏吧原版檚 Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion. He says the creation of the space served as a reminder that 杏吧原版渁 moment of change had arrived.杏吧原版�

Although Pierce had recently graduated when he attended the event in the Fall of 2016, and he didn杏吧原版檛 get to experience the Myatt Center as a student, he has been involved in the center杏吧原版檚 programming as an alumnus. He recently returned to the University to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its opening, an opportunity he calls a celebration of 杏吧原版渁cceptance, learning, diversity, and inclusion.

杏吧原版淚t was emotional to see the opening of the Myatt Center,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 grateful to have been able to attend the five-year celebration as an alum. It杏吧原版檚 so important and very gratifying to be a part of this. I hope I杏吧原版檓 here for the 10th anniversary celebration.杏吧原版�

Dedicated to fostering cultural diversity, awareness, and sensitivity at the University, the Myatt Center offers programs, activities, and services to promote understanding and inclusivity. It is a space for all Chargers to connect and feel a sense of belonging.

杏吧原版淭he center became a safe space for me when I needed it the most because of the political climate,杏吧原版� said Samara Clark 杏吧原版�19, who served as a diversity peer educator and a Myatt Center student worker. 杏吧原版淪paces like the Myatt Center let students be who we are unapologetically. I hope to make an even greater impact in the future and return what the center gave to me.杏吧原版�

The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and alumni to celebrate the impact the Myatt Center has made at the University, as well as the impact it promises to continue to have on future generations of Chargers.

杏吧原版楾his is important to my parents杏吧原版� legacy杏吧原版�

Kevin Myatt '16 Hon., a member of the University杏吧原版檚 Board of Governors, and his wife Gail, joined the celebration virtually from their home in Arizona. The center bears their family杏吧原版檚 name, and the Myatts have supported its mission since day one.

杏吧原版淭he center allows all people to find a place of solace,杏吧原版� said Kevin. 杏吧原版淚t enables people to be themselves, and for that, we are eternally grateful.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版淚 remember when we were at the ribbon cutting,杏吧原版� said Gail. 杏吧原版淪o much has happened since then, at the center, in our lives, and in the world, which shows how much we still need to celebrate diversity.杏吧原版�

Many members of the Myatt family attended the celebration in person 杏吧原版� some coming from Florida and Washington, D.C. Lt. Col. Craig Myatt 杏吧原版� Kevin杏吧原版檚 younger brother 杏吧原版� and his wife, Dr. Christine Myatt, visited the University earlier this semester, and they were excited to return for the celebration.

杏吧原版淭his means a lot to our family,杏吧原版� said Christine. 杏吧原版淭hey杏吧原版檝e done an amazing job at the Myatt Center, and the student education is absolutely incredible. We杏吧原版檙e very impressed with the students and the faculty.杏吧原版�

As part of the ceremony, Craig shared the inspiring story of his parents, describing them as 杏吧原版渢railblazers杏吧原版� who were committed to their family, to their meaningful careers, and to fostering inclusivity. He said the center keeps their legacy alive and 杏吧原版渟tands for all they believed in life.

杏吧原版淲hen we visited a month ago, we were very impressed with the student response to what the center offers,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淭hat same student excitement greeted us today, and we杏吧原版檝e seen it throughout the evening. This is important to my parents杏吧原版� legacy, for what they worked for in terms of achieving inclusivity in society.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版業t杏吧原版檚 a very positive space杏吧原版�

Since opening, the Myatt Center has continued to offer new resources, programming, and engagement opportunities, including the SUCCESS (Successfully Uniting, Connecting, Creating, Engaging, & Serving Students) mentoring program, the ongoing Courageous Conversation series, and a variety of cultural celebrations. It has grown from a staff of one to three, in addition to student workers and volunteers.

Zanaiya L茅on 杏吧原版�18, 杏吧原版�20 MBA, serves as the center杏吧原版檚 assistant director, says she is grateful for the opportunities the center has created for members of the University community.

杏吧原版淚 am honored to have been a part of the celebration and to have been a part of coordinating it,杏吧原版� she said. 杏吧原版淭his was a very beautiful opportunity. I continue to learn so much from the Myatts and from the center. I杏吧原版檓 honored to join the University杏吧原版檚 legacy with the Myatt family.杏吧原版�

As part of the celebration, the University community shared a video with the Myatt family highlighting the center杏吧原版檚 impact. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff discussed how the center has impacted their lives personally and why it is such a critical space for members of the University community.

Josh Carbajal '18, '20 M.A. shared his experience as part of the ceremony, describing the center as 杏吧原版渙ne of my favorite places on campus.杏吧原版� A former diversity peer educator, he says he spent a lot of time in the center and made some great friends, and he杏吧原版檚 grateful the University offers such an impactful gathering location for the University community.

杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 a very positive space,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 glad to have been here to celebrate such a non-judgmental place on campus. I杏吧原版檓 glad to see it has grown. Everyone there has a passion for diversity and inclusion, and they don杏吧原版檛 settle for anything less.杏吧原版�