MVC's Murrell Library to Host "In Our Family: Portraits of All Kinds of ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Relations Contacts:Chad Jaecques, marketing/media director; (660) 831‐4172; jaecquesc@moval.eduBrian Hampton, library events coordinator; (660) 831‐4181; hamptonb@moval.eduMVC’S MURRELL LIBRARY TO HOSTIN OUR FAMILY: PORTRAITS OF ALL KINDS OF FAMILIES EXHIBITMarshall, Mo. (Sept. 25, 2012)—The “In Our Family” exhibit created by the award‐winning FamilyDiversity Projects of Amherst, Mass., is scheduled to be featured at Murrell Library on MissouriValley College’s campus from October 1, 2012 through November 1, 2012 during regular libraryhours.“In Our Family” is a museum‐quality traveling photo‐text exhibit about twenty familiesrepresenting a breadth of diversity and family configurations including adoptive and fosterfamilies, divorced and stepfamilies, single parent households, multiracial families, familiesfacing chronic illness and death, families living with mental and physical disabilities, lesbian andgay‐parented families, interfaith families, multigenerational households, and immigrantfamilies.Designed for audiences of all ages, “In Our Family” challenges stereotypes and helps dismantleprejudice by celebrating and supporting differences of all kinds. The traveling photo‐text exhibitincludes positive and realistic photographs along with the candid interviews with familymembers of all ages, affirming an inclusive and expansive vision of family life today.“Valley is a community of acceptance and we celebrate our unique and diverse environment,”said Brian Hampton, Murrell Library events coordinator. “Identifying with our students’background and embracing their individuality is something in which we take pride.”The exhibit travels to schools nationwide (K‐12), colleges, public libraries, workplaces, places ofworship, conferences, museums, and communities nationwide. The exhibit is supported bydiversity professionals, families, educators, parents, and all people interested in educating thepublic about diversity.Family Diversity Projects (FDP) is a non‐profit educational organization founded by exhibit creators,Peggy Gillespie (interviewer/editor) and Gigi Kaeser (photographer). They have created four phototextexhibits three of which have been published in book form to help eliminate prejudice,stereotyping, and harassment of people discriminated against due to race, national origin, sexualorientation, religion, gender, class, and disability. The mission of FDP is to propel forward a worldwhere all families are recognized, valued and fully supported when "normal" or "different" arewords not used to describe family, and where the right to define family is respectfully restored toindividuals.

“Family Diversity Projects is a wonderful organization,” Hampton said. “They are a model ofdiversity and inclusiveness and I am pleased to be a part of this exhibition at Missouri ValleyCollege. Murrell Library is especially appreciative of the generosity and support of KevinSanders, director of MVC’s Master of Arts in community counseling program, Rachel Mayfield,director of MVC’s Counseling Center and practicum coordinator for the Master of Arts incommunity counseling program, and Jennifer Livengood, Assistant Professor of Psychology.”Library hours are Monday thru Thursday; 7:45 a.m.‐11 p.m., Friday; 7:45 a.m.‐4 p.m., Saturday;1 p.m.‐5 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m.‐11 p.m. For more information regarding MVC’s MurrellLibrary events, please contact Brian Hampton at hamptonb@moval.edu or visitwww.moval.edu.ABOUT MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGEKnown for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers manyopportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empowerstudents to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge‐based global society. MVC offers over40 academic programs, study abroad program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majorsinclude education and business, and the newest majors are nursing, graphic design, dance, and hospitality/tourismmanagement. Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831‐4000 or visitwww.moval.edu‐‐30‐‐Media Relations Contacts:Chad Jaecques, marketing/media director; (660) 831‐4172; jaecquesc@moval.eduBrian Hampton, library events coordinator; (660) 831‐4181; hamptonb@moval.edu