UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 06.16.22
Dear Colleagues:
Greetings from Spain! This week Shelli and I have the good fortune of traveling to Barcelona with a couple of our UI Foundation Board members. It is the second time we have been to this beautiful city and it doesn’t disappoint. Barcelona is a vibrant city with extraordinary architecture, pristine beaches, and incredible food. We just arrived yesterday but have already been exploring the region and sampling some of the local cuisine, including one of my all-time favorites: seafood paella.
Whether for vacation or work, one of the things I value most about traveling is the opportunity to learn about cultures that are different from our own. However, as I take in the differences and similarities of the Spanish culture, I am reminded that we don’t have to travel across an ocean to learn about and embrace other cultures. Our country is one of the most diverse on the planet and we have plenty to discover and share within our own local communities. Whether you are a visitor in a foreign land or seeing your own community through a different lens, sharing with each other can help us embrace diversity and build strong, connected communities.
And, speaking of embracing cultures, this weekend is the annual commemoration of Juneteenth, which was made a federal holiday in 2021. The holiday gives U.S. citizens the opportunity to learn about this important day that freed enslaved African-Americans in Texas in 1865. The University of Illinois System and UIF are holding their first official observance of the holiday and are closed tomorrow. The day provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about the significance, culture, and traditions surrounding this important holiday. (Learn more about Juneteenth here.)
I wish you all the best for an enjoyable three-day weekend! I understand the temperatures in Illinois are extremely hot, so stay cool and hydrated. Adiós from Barcelona, and I’ll be sure to share a few pictures in the end-of-summer photo collection.
Best,
Jim