‘Traditional’ History Keys Ewu Event

Eastern Washington University will hold its annual Founder’s Day observance in a convocation at the Cheney campus today.

Professor Lynn A. Hunt of the University of Pennsylvania will deliver a keynote speech during the 2 p.m. event in Showalter Hall.

Hunt is planning to talk about the role of multi-culturalism in the teaching of history.

She said America’s educational system shouldn’t ignore traditional history in the ongoing effort to emphasize the contributions of minorities and women.

“The question is: What’s the balance supposed to be?” Hunt said in an interview Wednesday.

Hunt is the author of a book titled, “Telling the Truth About History.”

Colleges and universities are increasing the focus on the contributions of minorities and women, but that change is being criticized because it is seen as diminishing the traditional view of America, Hunt said.

Educators need to find a middle ground that includes the traditional history lessons, but also explains how blacks, American Indians, women and others fit into that history, she said.

The information being taught on campuses is important because it sets a standard for how Americans understand who they are, she said.

The Founder’s Day celebration recognizes the roots of EWU as the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy, which opened in 1882, making it the oldest four-year institution in the state. It evolved as a state normal school, teacher’s college, state college and became a state university in 1977.

Awards and other honors will be given out during today’s convocation.