October 2015
ICI 30th Anniversary Celebration on November 10 at McNamara
“We believed that the world was changing and that it should be our mission to push the boundaries of innovation in advancing the ideal of full inclusion for people with disabilities in all walks of life,” says former University of Minnesota president Bob Bruininks, recalling the founding of the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) in 1985. “That focus put us in the forefront of the whole inclusion and community integration movement that really had its origins in the early Civil Rights movement, and the Rehabilitation Amendments of the 1970s.”
On November 10th, Bob and over 150 other past and present ICI staff, community partners, and friends will gather to reflect on the Institute’s legacy, and look ahead to its future, at the 30th anniversary event: “Celebrating a Community’s Vision: 30 Years of Innovation, Collaboration, and Influence.” It will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. at the McNamara Alumni Center, and David R. Johnson, ICI’s director, will emcee the event.
The evening’s agenda includes the following:
5:30 p.m. Social time with cash bar.
6:00 p.m. Welcome addresses by David and CEHD Dean Jean Quam, followed by a national perspective on ICI by Sue Swenson, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.
6:30 p.m. Dinner buffet.
7:00 p.m. Presentation of awards to ICI staff. Remarks by Bob Bruininks, ICI founding director and President Emeritus of the University of Minnesota, followed by “Reflections on 30 Years of Progress Supporting the Inclusion of People with Disabilities,” a film about the Institute by ICI’s Jerry Smith.
7:30 p.m. Entertainment by humorist Kevin Kling.
“The Institute has had the privilege to influence a wave of social change that has made great strides in supporting equality and inclusion for people with disabilities in the U.S. and around the world,” observes David. “On November 10th, we pause to acknowledge the progress of the past 30 years, and look to the opportunities ahead as we continue to innovate, collaborate, and influence a shared vision of inclusion.”
All current ICI employees were invited by e-mail on October 5, and are encouraged to not only attend the celebration, but also to bring a guest, and share their “Pearls of Wisdom” on the RSVP. Invitations to past staff, stretching back to ICI’s first years, as well as to community partners and friends, were sent by U.S. Mail the week of October 5th. All attendees must RSVP by Friday, October 23.
The celebration planning committee includes Connie Burkhart, Tony Baisley, Laurene Christensen, Melissa Critchley, Anab Gulaid, Mark Olson, Nathan Perry, Tyler Redden, Amanda Ryan, and Joe Timmons.
FFI about ICI’s 30th anniversary gathering, or if you did not receive an invitation, please contact Tyler Redden at icipub@umn.edu or 612-624-4512.