Reactions

"I felt that he was able to present the issue of diversity in a non-threatening way, which is different from most diversity exercises I have been a part of." ~ A Student Participant, Davidson College (NC)

"We were pleased to have you bring your unique style to our campus. We hope to be able to have you return as we continue to move ahead with the challenge of student leadership" ~ Director of Student Activities, Dekalb College

"How do you do it? You motivated my students to make a change. I can honestly say we're moving toward the appreciation and celebration of human differences." ~ Assistant Dean of Students, UNC - Greensboro

"I have admired your abilities from afar. After seeing you in action, I understand why! Your ability to challenge is remarkable." ~ Professional Staff Member, Southern Illinois University

"I even had fun!" ~ A Student Participant, Carleton College (MN)

"The session was fun, lively, and interactive. We really talked about some of the issues we are facing on campus." ~ A Student Participant, UCLA

"Please, Please, Please continue your work in challenging others. I don't believe you realize how impactful you are!" ~ A Student Participant, Grinnell College (IA)

"Excellent! One of the best and most inspiring seminars I have ever attended, if not the best." ~ A Student Participant, Fordham University (NY)

Interviews

"Interview with Vernon A. Wall: LGBT Issues on College Campuses." Peer Educator. May/June 2003. [DOWNLOAD]

References

"Vernon Wall is among the best trainers, speakers, and writers on multicultural and leadership issues in the country at this time. He brings a nice balance of challenge and support for students, faculty and staff alike. We look forward to bringing him back to our campus."
Dr. Jamie Washington, President
Washington Consulting Group
Baltimore, Maryland
410/665-9556
dr.jamiewashington@comcast.net

“Humor and expertise go along way when giving a keynote speech. Vernon Wall definitely has both of these key qualities. We were looking for a keynoter with energy and passion to address diversity and multicultural issues on campuses today – Vernon did not let us down. Next time we will have to make sure that we get a bigger room for the ‘follow up’ session!”
Kevin R. Solomon
Assistant Dean of Students /
Assistant Director of Housing
Arkansas Tech University
479/968-0376
kevin.solomon@atu.edu

"It was a pleasure to have Vernon Wall serve as the keynote speaker to our annual residence orientation program. After having heard Vernon speak when I was a graduate student, I have carried his "One Better World" message with me on a daily basis -- and this is a message I wanted to share with new first year students in our community. We have a very diverse campus with students from all over the world and from a wide range of background experiences, and Vernon's talk of uniting students across lines of difference set a wonderful tone for our first year. His keynote was also a kick off to our "Be the Change" programming series -- an initiative focused on bringing students together to discuss critical community issues from a wide range of perspectives. Our students appreciated his sincerity...his ability to localize his content in a Canadian framework...and most significantly, his ability to get their minds rolling around the issues of difference and diversity about to face them in their first year."
Chris McGrath
Director of Residence
University of Toronto at Mississauga
Mississauga, ON Canada L5L 1C6
905/828-5253

"Vernon came to Western Michigan University to speak about diversity issues to the Greek Community on a campus that consists of less than a 10% minority population. Those in attendance were able to participate in a conversation, not a lecture, regarding a subject that can be quite fragile. Vernon did a tremendous job keeping everyone comfortable and in touch with the message."
Justin M. De Graaf
Personal: justindegraaf@gmail.com
269/267-8833
Alpha Tau Omega Chapter President, Interfraternity Council Administrative Vice President
Western Michigan University

"We had Vernon facilitate a Diversity Retreat for us and it went over extremely well. The students really related to his presentation style. He was extremely easy to work with and very flexible. We would have him back in a heart beat!"
Stephanie Russell Holz
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of the Vaughn Center The
University of Tampa 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Box P
Tampa, FL 33606
813/253-6233
srholz@ut.edu

"Vernon was great here! The RAs talked about him all year."
Dawn Thompson
Associate Director of Residence Life for Housing Services
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
413/545-1964
thompson@gw.housing.umass.edu

"Vernon's programs are interactive and informative. He kept our minds and bodies awake."
Ryan Yunkers
Associate Director of Residence Life
Emporia State University (KS)
620/341-5264
yunkersr@esumail.emporia.edu

"We have been doing diversity training for years with our RA staff, but no one hit the mark with them as well as Vernon did in our day of training last fall. Vernon's style draws staff in, makes them think, and more than anything motivates them to bring his message into their daily work as RAs and human beings. What more could you ask!"
Ruth Abelmann
Associate Director of Residence Life
University of New Hampshire
603/862-2268
rutha@cisunix.unh.edu

"I have worked with Vernon on many occasions and consider him to be a man of enormous integrity and compassion. Sometimes people who help others understand the complexity of diversity issues do so in a confrontive and hostile way, thus alienating their audience. Plain and simple, you cannot go wrong with Vernon!"
Dr. Maura Cullen
Educational Consultant
802/863-9795
maura@mauracullen.com

"Above all other things, Vernon is real…and everyone in his audience recognizes that quality immediately. Consequently, when Vernon asks people to accompany him on a journey through arduous territory, they are willing to take the risk and go with him. Along the way, they explore what's in their heads as well as their hearts, work hard, and have some fun. In the end, they commit to making things different in their own spheres…which is really where it all starts."
Dr. Ginny Aurthur
Associate Director of Residence Life
Iowa State University
515/294-7619
varthur@iastate.edu

"Vernon engages the audience immediately with his use of storytelling, interactive activities, and positive messages. Vernon's enthusiasm and passion for what he does is evident. Our students are still talking about his program 6 months later."
Barbara Dyer
Assistant Director of Residence Life
State University of West Georgia
770/836-6426

"Vernon's dynamic style and presence create an environment where open and honest dialogue can take place. He engages his audience and delivers his message in such a manner that the learning just sneaks up on you! It has been one year since he visited this campus, and the students are still talking about the sessions they had with him, and more importantly, still applying what they learned."
Donna Lee
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Rollins College (FL)
407/691-1240
dlee@rollins.edu

"Vernon is a dynamic presenter that has the ability to captivate and motivate audiences! He was able to take our group and get them excited and communicating about subjects that have typically been taboo to discuss openly. Vernon approaches each topic with such honest enthusiasm it is no wonder why we asked him back for a second time!"
Amy Wrye
Coordinator of Residence Life and Greek Advisor
Kennesaw State University (GA)
770/420-4388
awrye@kennesaw.edu

"Vernon's approach and sense of humor helped him quickly get connected with our students and put them at ease. Vernon has the ability to make students feel comfortable sharing about themselves, learning about others while challenging them on social justice issues. Our Resident Assistants raved about Vernon after his visit and his session was one of the most highly rated amongst all sessions in our two week training program. I would not hesitate to bring Vernon back to work with our community again."
Scott Halstead
Assistant Director for Leadership Development and Training
Fordham University (NY)
718/817-3087
halstead@fordham.edu

"Simply put: Vernon is amazing. He excels at helping students find where they fit within the world when it comes to oppression and privilege and teaches concepts that students remember long after he has left campus. We have invited Vernon two times over the past four years because our third year RAs who were on the training committee insisted that newer RAs had to experience his message. We truly do have "One Better World" with Vernon in it!"
Julie N. Love
Coordinator of Residence Education
Northern Arizona University
928/523-9597
julie.love@nau.edu

"Many of the students commented on how impressed they were with Vernon's values, integrity, and diverse background. He was able to tie many of the leadership pieces regarding style and personality together many of them were mulling over in their heads as well as exemplify the importance of leadership styles and humor in our daily lives."
Bridget Williams Golden
Leadership Coordinator for Student Activities and Organizations
Purdue University
765/494-9028
bwgolden@purdue.edu

"Vernon Wall was a guest speaker last October 2002 as part of our Convocation Lecture Series. We found him to be accessible, informative, knowledgeable and helpful. Vernon was able to create a dialogue that challenged what we think and encouraged us to go further. We would love to have him back on campus for a longer period of time."
Lynn Knight
Events Coordinator
Earlham College
765/983-1373

Where I've Been

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

-- A -- return to top	AIM-HO Conference; November 2000 (Keynote Speech) Association of Conference and Events Directors; March 1994 (Keynote Speech) Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) Regional Conference; February 2001 (Featured Speaker) Alabama Auburn University Alabama State RHA Conference; March 1993 (Keynote Speech) Arizona Northern Arizona University Arizona State University University of Arizona

-- B -- return to top	BACCHUS/GAMMA Convention; November 2002 (Keynote Speech)

-- C -- return to top	California Chapman University San Jose State University Sonoma State University UCLA University of California-Davis University of San Fransisco Colorado Regis University University of Colorado (Boulder) Canada University of Toronto at Mississauga Connecticut Nanqatuck Community College (CT)

-- D -- return to top

-- E -- return to top

-- F -- return to top	Florida Nova College Stetson University Rollins College Florida RA Conference; February 1995 (Keynote Speech) University of Tampa

-- G -- return to top	Georgia Georgia College Personnel Association (Keynote; February 2002) "B.I.G." Program, University of Georgia; July 1997 & 1998 (Keynote Speech) Georgia Residence Assistant Saturday Seminar; Georgia College; March 1991 (Keynote Speech) Georgia Residence Halls Organization; West Georgia College; March 1990 (Keynote Speech) Georgia Southern University University of Georgia Emory University Brewer Parker College Dekalb College Oxford College of Emory University West Georgia College Gainesville College Oglethorpe University Augusta University Georgia Southwestern University Dalton College Brunswick College

-- H -- return to top	Human Rights Campaign

-- I -- return to top	Illinois University of Illinois Western Illinois University Southern Illinois University Northwestern University Indiana Welcome Week, DePauw University; January 1998 (Keynote Speech) RA Training, Indiana University; August 1997 (Keynote Speech) Purdue University Indiana University Alumni Association; June 2006 Iowa Grinnell College Cornell College Central College

-- J -- return to top

-- K -- return to top

-- L -- return to top	LeaderShape, Inc. (Lead Facilitator)

-- M -- return to top	MACUHO RA Conference; November 1995 (Keynote Speech) MGCA (Mid-American Greek Council Association) Professional Luncheon Keynote 2005; Speaker; 2006 Midwest Meeting of Graduate Students in Student Personnel; October 1993 (Keynote Speech) Maryland Goucher College (MD) Maryland College Personnel Association; November 2000 (Keynote Speech) University of Maryland - Baltimore County Massachusetts Northeastern University University of Massachusetts - Amherst Michigan Michigan State University University of Michigan Western Michigan University Minnesota University of Minnesota Carleton College Macalester College Minnesota State University, Mankato Minnesota College Personnel Association; October 2003 (Keynote Speech) Missouri Central Missouri State University Truman State University University of Missouri Washington University Northwest Missouri State University

-- N -- return to top	National Conference on Student Services; April 2000 (Keynote Speech) NACA Upper Midwest Regional Conference; April 1992 (Keynote Speech) NACA National Convention; February 2005 (Consultant in Residence) NACURH Consultant-In-Residence; May 1997 (Keynote Speech) NODA (Orientation Directors) Keynote Speech; November 2005 Nebraska Creighton University Nebraska Wesleyan University New Hampshire Campus Compact of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire New York Colgate University Fordham University Ithaca College North Carolina Triad RA Conference; University of North Carolina - Greensboro; January 1992 (Keynote Speech) Small College "RA Days" Conference; Elon College; March 1986 (Keynote Speech) North Carolina Housing Officers; October 1992 & October 2003 Student Leadership Conference; Fayetteville State University; October 1989 (Keynote Speech) University of North Carolina - Greensboro University of North Carolina -Wilmington University of North Carolina - Asheville Wake Forest University Davidson College North Carolina State University

-- O -- return to top	Ohio The Ohio State University University of Cincinnati Miami University Wright State University University of Dayton Oklahoma University of Oklahoma

-- P -- return to top	Pennsylvania Greek Week, Lafayette College (PA); April 1996 (Keynote Speech) King's College Penn State University Lafayette College Lehigh University Slippery Rock University Kutztown University (PA)

-- Q -- return to top

-- R -- return to top

-- S -- return to top	South Carolina SWACHUHO (Southwest Association) College and UNiversity Housing Office University of South Carolina Leadership Conference; February 1992 (Keynote Speech) South Carolina College Personnel Association; March 1993 (Keynote Speech) Clemson University University of South Carolina - Aiken Presbyterian College SACSA (Southern Association of College Student Affairs)

-- T -- return to top	Tennessee East Tennessee State University Texas SWACURH Conference; Texas Tech University; November 1992 (Keynote Speech) Kaleidoscope RA Conference; Texas Tech University; January 1992 (Keynote Speech) Texas Tech University University of Texas - Austin Texas A&M University

-- U -- return to top	UMR ACUHO Conference; October 2000 & October 2006 (Consultant in Residence)

-- V -- return to top	Vermont University of Vermont Virginia University of Virginia University of Richmond James Madison University Randolph Macon College

-- W -- return to top	White Privilege Conference Washington Central Washington University University of Puget Sound Washington D.C. George Washington University Wisconsin University of Wisconsin - EauClaire St Norbert College University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse Wisconsin College Personnel Association Edgewood College (WI)

-- X -- return to top

-- Y -- return to top

-- Z -- return to top