The Virtual Gallery of Affirmations is a space for students, staff, faculty and guests to receive messages of inclusion, equity, diversity, justice, belonging, healing and love.
To view a larger version of any of the images below, simply click on the image.
The Office of Equity and Diversity + Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation
Art for Healing, Belonging and Justice
Haiku from the Four Cs Reception
Like Phoenix Rising
From Chaos, Pain, and Turmoil
We Are Emerging
—Lynne Varner, Shameem Rakha, Nashma Carrera, Narek Daniyelyan, and Pavithra Narayanan
Accessibility Council
Dear VanCougs,
We affirm you and want to do all that we can to ensure your safety, wellness, access and sense of belonging during this time.
We want you to know that you matter and that you are not alone during this time. The WSU Vancouver campus community is here for you.
We want you to reach out to us anytime you feel the need or just want to connect with someone.
Our very best wishes are with you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Accessibility Council
Anonymous
This is in honor of all the campus staff who have put themselves at risk so that we can continue to teach and support our students.
-WSU Vancouver Anonymous Donor
Mel has worked so hard to make this Vancouver community a wonderful place to be and I am so grateful for his leadership as well as Renny’s and the other folks at WSUV. I have been here for 5 years now, and it is the most comfortable, compassionate, and caring place I have ever worked.
-WSU Vancouver Anonymous Staff Member
John Barber, Holly Slocum, Greg Philbrook
"Say Their Names" is a memorial to Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals killed by police actions, or while in police custody, around the country, 2015 to present.
View and listen to "Say Their Names"
Debra Barnett
Renny Christopher
"...Staying home, refusing to participate in the spread of the virus–that’s a far cry from our usual conceptions of heroism, which usually involve a lot of action. When I was thirteen, and dreaming about going to space myself, I could not have pictured a future in which a virus shut down the world, and the best and most important thing I could do is just stay in my house. But here we are. We have to believe the science, we have to follow stay home orders and physical distancing advice...we have to fight this pandemic with the only weapons available to most of us right now–patience and compassion."
Continue reading: Apollo 13’s 50th anniversary and the pandemic
Michael Dunn
Michelle Eccles
Equity of Student Outcomes Council
The Equity of Student Outcomes Council is in solidarity with historically underrepresented and vulnerable communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed exacerbated levels of structural and systemic forms of oppression that disproportionately impact vulnerable and historically underrepresented communities, including WSU Vancouver students. We see and affirm you. The Equity of Student Outcomes Council recognizes that these structural barriers contribute greatly to disparity in outcomes across student demographics. We are committed to continuing the important and necessary work of building equity infrastructure, eliminating disparity and achieving parity across student demographics during this uncertain time and beyond.
With peace and warmth,
Equity of Student Outcomes Council
Felix Braffith, Elias Cohen, Obie Ford III, Bala Krishnamoorthy, Thabiti Lewis, Colton Lindelof, Miwako Nakamoto, Wendy Olson, Praveen Sekhar, L. Rocío Sotomayor
Kelly Groves
Take some time for yourself each day.
Rosalind Hatch-Pirkl
“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart” – Roy T. Bennett
Being Creative brings Joy to my heart. Sending you all some Joy for the Dreams in your heart.
Go Cougs!
Min Kuang
Bala Krishnamoorthy
Sharon Kruse
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
-A.A. Milne from Winnie the Pooh
Miwako Nakamoto
Pavithra Narayanan
Leslie New
Donna Paul
Like a tree
I will go down
Like a tree
I will rise up
Like a tree
I will yield, bend, sway
and yet I will stay
Like a tree
I stand
Shameem Rakha
Abigail Soto
Jose Vazquez-Bello
I was thinking of the beauty of the tiger in the exterior design to survive across their landscape and in time. One more or one less stripe would apparently make no difference in their roaring; and going further with humans one more scratch with this virus would make no difference in our voices to stand strong. I am attaching an image of this amazing creature, also with more or less stripes.
Judith Wait
We can see this "Great Awakening" as a time for transforming the systems of oppression by taking action.
Krista Walker
Better Days Ahead
I took this photo in January one crisp morning as I was walking into work. I noticed the sun peaking behind the trees down my favorite corridor and it stopped me in my tracks. I look at this photo and am reminded of how special our campus community is and I fondly remember how I felt that morning. I look forward to the day we can all gather again. GO COUGS!
“When it rains it pours, but soon the sun shines again. Stay positive better days are on their way.” -Unknown
LaRonda Zupp
Submit your affirmation
The Virtual Gallery of Affirmations is an ongoing project. WSU Vancouver students, faculty, staff, campus partners and neighbors are welcomed to submit works of affirmation (letters, messages, art, poetry, etc.) to appear in the virtual gallery. Send to Obie Ford III, obie3.ford@wsu.edu and Brenda Alling, brenda_alling@wsu.edu