Prepared remarks of Angela Y. Davis

“A great privilege was bestowed upon the UCSC community when Denice Denton accepted the chancellorship of our university. From the outset, she informed us that her style of leadership was designed to accelerate change. Thus, she urged us to embrace social justice, not simply as a lofty ideal to be accomplished elsewhere and on a grand scale, but rather also as a practical strategy for the local transformation of this university. 

Chancellor Denton sparked controversy. She refused, for example, to endorse widely accepted explanations for the underrepresentation of Native and African Americans among the students, faculty, and staff. Almost immediately, she announced plans for a far-reaching diversity initiative that would hopefully lead us toward racial, gender, class, and sexual inclusion.

I was among those who welcomed her unequivocal approach to practical social justice. But at times it seemed that many of us were too ensconced in the quotidian realities of an institution that seemed to function well on its own terms to prepare for profound change. But then, Chancellor Denton resolved to do whatever was necessary to persuade her community that change would be good for all of us. Indeed, she used her investiture not as an occasion for the usual ritual and ceremony, but rather to initiate a conversation across the campus on the relationship between diversity and excellence.

She arrived on the campus with a extraordinary record of leading transformative efforts—at M.I.T. and at the University of Wisconsin, and especially in the School of Engineering at the University of Washington. She had already forged a national reputation as a prominent advocate for women in the sciences—from individual mentoring of graduate students and junior faculty to the leadership of national organizations and campaigns. Everywhere, Denice Denton was embraced as a pioneer and a champion.

On this campus, she continued her advocacy for women and people of color in the sciences, taking time to mentor junior faculty despite the swirling controversies and even as she courageously faced unrelenting homophobic attacks.

We were graced for a short while by the presence of this pioneer, this champion. Chancellor Denton passionately and purposefully defended her vision of a more robust and more inclusive university. While her tragically brief tenure did not allow her to accomplish all the goals she had set for herself and for all of us, she did nonetheless manage to create a powerful legacy. Our most appropriate tribute to Denice Denton will be to embrace and bring to fruition that legacy of excellence through diversity. I look forward to participating in the process of honoring her legacy.”

 

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