Former Spelman president is 2017 Haas Center Distinguished Visitor

Beverly Daniel Tatum, acclaimed author and president emerita of Spelman College, will visit Stanford in the spring quarter as this year’s Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor.

On April 5, Tatum will deliver the Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor Lecture on Public Service and the University, titled “Why Are All the Black Kids Still Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Campus Conversations about Race in the 21st Century.” During her time on campus, she will engage in seminars and meet with students, faculty and community organizations.

Beverly Daniel Tatum (Image credit: J.D. Scott)

Tatum served as president of Spelman College from 2002 to 2015. Widely known for her expertise in race relations, she is the author of several books, including Can We Talk About Race?: And Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation. An update to her bestselling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race, will be released in fall 2017, marking the 20th anniversary of its initial publication. Tatum holds a BA in psychology from Wesleyan University, an MA and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan, and an MA in religious studies from Hartford Seminary.

“Dr. Tatum is a nationally recognized authority on issues of race and identity in the United States, and students and faculty are eager to learn from her scholarship, experience and example as we prepare the next generation of civic leaders to address national and global issues,” said Provost Persis Drell.

Tatum’s honors include the Brock International Prize for Innovation in Education in 2005, the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award in 2013 and the American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology in 2014.

“Beverly Tatum is a prominent educator and scholar who has made tremendous contributions to higher education and public discourse,” said Haas Center Faculty Director Deborah Stipek. “We welcome Dr. Tatum as our Distinguished Visitor and look forward to timely and rich discussions on the intersections of identity and service.”

The Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor program is a 10-week residency that brings to Stanford prominent individuals whose lives and careers have had significant impact across the nation and globally through distinct public service contributions. During their stay at Stanford’s Haas Center for Public Service, visitors participate in workshops and meetings with students and faculty and attend events hosted by community organizations.

“After 13 years as a college president, I look forward to immersing myself in the role of scholar, while simultaneously engaging with the Stanford community on the role of dialogue in truly inclusive learning environments,” said Tatum.

Previous visitors have included Rick Lowe, artist and a 2014 MacArthur grant recipient; John Githongo, journalist and renowned anti-corruption activist; Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister of Norway; and Jane Lubchenco, former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The April 5 event will begin with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by the lecture at 5:30 p.m. in Paul Brest Hall. The event is free and open to the public, although registration is required. Visit the website.