United Minorities Council elects new chairman

The United Minorities Council, the umbrella for 20 minority groups on campus, elected Wharton and College junior Ezegozie Eze as its chair Wednesday night. Eze, who transferred from Princeton University this semester, won the three-way race for the helm of the organization, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

In discussing his plans for the coming year with The Daily Pennsylvanian, he said he hopes to increase collaboration among constituent groups and increase UMC's presence on campus.

The Daily Pennsylvanian: How did you get involved with UMC?

Ezegozie Eze: I knew a couple board members from last year, and when I got on campus they were urging me to join UMC. It was an organization that really fit with the mark I want to leave here at Penn and with fostering discussion between different communities. I attended UMC's Unity Week and Restaurant night, which really opened my eyes to the UMC.

DP: What motivated you to run for chair?

EE: [Tuesday] night, I was set on running for financial chair, and I decided if I want to cause the change I'm seeking in UMC and in Penn as a whole, I need to take a higher position and take a challenge.

I see it as the best possible way to show how passionate I am about bringing change to Penn and really trying to unite the minority community.

DP: What are your main goals for your term as chair?

EE: My number one goal is to give a stronger presence of UMC on campus, not only just to minorities but to every part of Penn, from the faculty to organizations that may have no interest in being involved and showing them what UMC can offer, how dialogue with people unlike yourself can really not only open your eyes but help you in your future.

[You] really get to know other people from different cultures and backgrounds who you may not know anything about - or think you can't learn anything about.

DP: What do you anticipate being your and your organization's biggest challenges?

EE: Really uniting the minority community. I really want to show that UMC should serve as an umbrella organization for all minorities ... that we represent the voice of those who feel their voices are not heard at Penn.

DP: How do the Penn and Princeton minority communities differ?

EE: At Princeton, I was very involved and was able to create a stronger community through town hall meetings, through dialogue and different events. The purpose of these events wasn't to tell people, "Hey, there is a minority community here," but to let people know we take pride in who we are and try to share that pride and educate others on communities they know nothing about.

Coming as a transfer, from what I experienced personally and from what others were telling me, the [Penn] minority community was present but didn't have a voice. It was just here, somewhat dormant, not actively seeking the change people talk about every day - whether it's renovations in buildings or just different events, just being able to know the faculty and administration hear your voice.

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