News Archives - 2003

The 12th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation, "Responding to the Call: Voices From the Twin Cities," will be held Monday, Jan. 19, 2004, beginning at 1 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel. This year's guest speaker is Vanne Owens-Hayes, director of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Department.

Owens-Hayes joined the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights as interim director in November 2000, and was appointed director in March 2001. She earned her B.A and J.D. degrees at the University of Minnesota. Throughout her career, Owens-Hayes has been particularly interested in increasing the opportunities for women and minorities. For almost 12 years, she served as dean of students at the University of Minnesota Law School. While at the University, she chaired the Commission of Women, mentored women athletes, and served on the Cultural Diversity Task Force of the Women’s Athletic Department. She has also developed policies and programs that have successfully improved the climate for women and minorities.