Poster contest winner is announced for Cornell's 'Open Doors' statement

President Hunter Rawlings congratulates Andrés Arroyo for his winning "Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds" poster design March 13 in the Day Hall boardroom. Charles Harrington/University Photography

The winner of a poster design contest, created to publicize Cornell's new "Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds" statement on diversity and inclusiveness, was announced March 13 in Day Hall.

The $300 first-place award was presented by Cornell President Hunter Rawlings to Andrés Arroyo, a Cornell alumnus and administrative assistant for the Family Life Development Center's National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect. Arroyo's winning multicolored design shows a representation of the university, featuring McGraw Tower, silhouetted in a rising sun at the end of a bright road, displaying the words "Open Doors, Open Hearts and Open Minds, Cornell's statement on diversity and inclusiveness."

"With Andrés' design to keep the message of 'Open Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds' before us -- and with the effort that all of you have given to this project," Rawlings told administrators, students and Campus Climate Committee members gathered at the announcement, "Cornell is on the way to becoming an even more diverse and inclusive community, where the principles of the 'Open Doors' statement can be a reality for all of us every day."

Arroyo said he wanted to convey through his design "openness and beauty, both of which can be found at Cornell. The rising sun symbolizes new possibilities. The different colors represent diversity, and the road is a welcome mat for all who seek higher learning.

"I feel lucky to be part of this community," he said. "There can be so much wisdom to gain in an atmosphere where everyone's viewpoints and backgrounds are welcome."

The second-place winner in the contest ($100 gift certificate to Banfi's restaurant) was Jeanne Butler, a graphic designer for Campus Life, and third place ($50 gift certificate to the Campus Store) went to Shannon Stroever, who will graduate next January with a degree in animal science and a secondary certification in biology.

The poster contest was sponsored by the Campus Climate Committee, formed by the dean of the faculty. During the spring, Rawlings said, the committee will initiate a series of discussions about the statement with students, staff and faculty members, and the winning design will be used on posters and mouse pads.

The moderator at the design contest announcement was Robert Harris, associate professor of Africana studies, recently appointed vice provost for diversity and faculty development and co-chair of the Campus Climate Committee with Robert Johnson, director of Cornell United Religious Works.

"I want to thank Dean of the Faculty Bob Cooke for recognizing the importance of the campus climate and constituting the Campus Climate Committee to examine how Cornell might improve in this area," Rawlings said. "And I want to thank Bob Harris and Bob Johnson, co-chairs of the Campus Climate Committee, for their leadership in formulating such a clear statement of the values that we hold dear as Cornellians."

The "Open Doors" statement has been endorsed by all the Cornell constituent assemblies and was endorsed by the Cornell Board of Trustees at its January meeting.

"It builds upon the principles that distinguish Cornell from other colleges and universities, while also giving all of us a framework for our daily interactions with each other and for campus programming," Rawlings said.