Erik S. Farley, assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs and director of the Diversity Center at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., will join Denison’s administration this summer as director of multicultural student affairs and assistant dean of students.

“We are very excited to have someone with Erik’s poise and vision become a part of our community,” says Mark R. Orten, Denison’s chaplain and director of religious life.

Farley graduated from Denison in 2003 with a bachelor of arts degree in history. He earned a master of arts in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University, where his experience included two years as an academic intervention specialist in EMU’s Holman Learning Center and an administrative internship in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Ursuline College.

During the last two years, Farley’s work at Lawrence has included assisting campus committees and organizations with campus-wide cultural programs, serving on the Posse Foundation Scholar Selection Committee and building coalitions among underrepresented groups. He also has worked in the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs at the College of Wooster.

Among his many activities while a student at Denison, Farley was president of the Black Student Union, served on the Campus Environment Team and was a member of the Residential Life student staff. He earned Denison’s Distinguished Leadership Award and was included in “Who’s Who Among American College and University Students.”

Farley was a class senator in the Denison Campus Governance Association, and he was president of the Denison chapter of Alpha Phi Alpa fraternity and treasurer of the local National Pan-Hellenic Council. In addition, Farley was active in the organization, planning and development of Denison’s flourishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration and Black History Month celebration.

“As an alumnus and student affairs practitioner, I am uniquely positioned to serve the university,” Farley says. “I am eager to assist with weaving multiculturalism into every aspect of the Denison experience.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased that Erik is returning to Denison,” says Denison University Vice President for Student Affairs Samuel J. Thios. “He brings excellent experience along with a deep understanding of the Denison culture, which will serve him — and the college — very well.”

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