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College GLBT Program Funded
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Roger B. A. Klorese (left) and his partner David L. Haney donated $1 million to Dartmouth's GLBT student programs. photo: Barb Dozetos |
Dartmouth College’s programming and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students will be greatly enhanced thanks to a recent million-dollar gift.
Roger B. A. Klorese, a 1977 graduate of Dartmouth, and his partner David L. Haney, made the gift at a public ceremony and reception on November 4 at the college.
“It’s been a great joy to see the ways in which Dartmouth has become more and more welcoming of difference,” said Klorese, a software strategist based in San Francisco. “In looking for places to share our blessings and help foster change, it seemed to David and met that a gift to Dartmouth could really help continue that growth.”
The gift creates the Roger B. A. Klorese and David L. Haney Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Program Fund. Dean of the College James Larimore called the fund’s establishment “a significant step forward” in the college’s history.
The money is intended to support educational, cultural, and social programming for GLBT students, educate the larger Dartmouth community about GLBT concerns, and secure an existing staff position to coordinate these efforts on a full-time and permanent basis.
“While it will provide programmatic opportunities and education about GLBT concerns for the Dartmouth community,” said Larimore, “I have a special appreciation for what it will mean for our students in their day-to-day lives.”
Pamela Misener, assistant dean and advisor to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender students, said the gift will be used to determine and address specific campus needs annually.
Students have already moved from an old office into a larger, more accessible LGBTQA Resource Center, and are improving book, video, magazine, and organizational literature resources as well as Internet access.
Cultural, educational, and social initiatives will include on-campus events such as addresses, lectures, and performances.
“We are particularly interested in supporting programs that address the multiplicity and intersections of identity,” said Misener, “for example, how race or ethnicity impacts the experiences of our students who are also LGBTQA.”
“This gift will help us create and sustain an environment at Dartmouth where LGBTQ students can thrive, not just survive,” said Misener.
Klorese was a founding member of Students for Social Alternatives, Dartmouth’s first student organization addressing respect around diversity. Ten years ago, after his move to San Francisco, Klorese established and still manages the QueerNet Project, a non-profit organization that provides GLBT Internet communities. Haney, a graduate of DePauw University, is a cellist with the Redwood Symphony of Redwood, CA.