Shepard Symposium on Social Justice

Shepard Symposium on Social Justice Official Facebook account for Shepard Symposium on Social Justice. Fall 2025 Dates: TBD From those early beginnings, the symposium has grown in several ways.

Begun by two faculty in the College of Education, Omawale Akintunde and Margaret Cooney, the symposium, then called “The Symposium for the Eradication of Social Inequality,” aimed at involving University of Wyoming and local students in dialogue on issues related to social justice, particularly within the context of public education. It has broadened its focus so that participants from throughout the community, state, and region have presented on social justice issues within a variety of arenas, including but also beyond the realm of public education. A steering committee with cross-college representation assures that multiple academic disciplines have connections to the symposium. The symposium has expanded its topics to include inequalities based on race/ethnicity, gender sexual orientation, disability, and class. Honoring the work of the Shepard family and the memory of their son, Matthew Shepard, a UW student and social activist, the symposium changed its name in 2002 and works as a living reminder of the need for information and dialogue about social justice concerns in American and beyond. In the spring of that same year, the Shepard Symposium learned that it would be the recipient of funding from an anonymous endowment given to the University to pursue social justice activities throughout the campus. Past Symposium speakers have included Anita Hill, Johnny Cochran, Morris Dees, Ronald Takaki, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the Brown Sisters, Sherman Alexie, John Corvino, Zach Wahls, and Tim Wise. These speakers have been heralded for their ability to draw many individuals representative of a diverse cross section of our community and region. The Symposium on Social Justice strives to reach a broad audience of community members (on and off campus), as well as regional and national groups of participants.

We had a great time dancing the night away and sharing some fun swag at QCC Gay Prom! 💃🪩🏳️‍🌈
04/03/2026

We had a great time dancing the night away and sharing some fun swag at QCC Gay Prom! 💃🪩🏳️‍🌈

03/31/2026
Please consider joining us as we walk and share at this event. Wyoming has some of the highest levels of su***de per cap...
03/26/2026

Please consider joining us as we walk and share at this event.
Wyoming has some of the highest levels of su***de per capita in the nation. LGBTQIA2s+ rates for su***de is even higher. Let's work together to make sure people know they matter and we want them here!

One of our Shepard Symposium Co-chairs and committee member went to the capital on Friday for Wyoming Equality Day with ...
02/17/2026

One of our Shepard Symposium Co-chairs and committee member went to the capital on Friday for Wyoming Equality Day with Wyoming Equality!

Wyoming Equality Day brought voices from across the state to the Capitol, standing strong for LGBTQ+ rights. Organizers and advocates shared their stories with lawmakers during the legislative session, highlighting how policies impact real people and families, reminding legislators that LGBTQ+ Wyomingites deserve safety, respect, and access to full participation in our communities. 🌈

11/12/2025
It's Giving DAY!!!!!Shameless plug for Giving Day and the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice at the University of Wyomi...
10/24/2025

It's Giving DAY!!!!!

Shameless plug for Giving Day and the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice at the University of Wyoming.

I am one of the co-chairs for the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice at the University of Wyoming. Today, the University of Wyoming will host Giving Day. A period of 24 hours when many gifts are matched and friendly competition ensues.

As you are probably aware, the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice was started in 1997 and renamed after Matthew Shepard and his family in 2002. I have been a part of this committee since we moved to Laramie in 2022 and have been co-chair since December 2023. This work gives me great joy!

Being a part of Shepard Symposium on Social Justice gives me great joy as I have said many times, so I plan on sharing some of my favorite pictures of events I was able to participate in due to Shepard Symposium work.

Thank you for your support!

Thank you.
Michelle Fillinger Schamp

From Noon, Thursday, October 23 to Noon, Friday, October 24 (MST)

https://give.uwyo.edu/schools/UniversityofWyoming/giving-day-2025/pages/academic-affairs-and-others/shepard-symposium?utm_campaign=Shepard+Symposium_+Giving+Day_2025&utm_content=Shepard+Symposium+on+Social+Justice+link+to+giving+page&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MarketingCloud&fbclid=IwVERDUANnkUFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHlQR_PhyfBN8zuJgvbYcSN4Tn876vqXvd3fPt5pWtK_sgHtNORx51bma_O_s_aem_BhtPCu5t7_s6aM38n41PGw

Tonight we enjoyed a beautiful performance by flutist Erika Boysen along with Jiwon Han on piano! The performance offere...
10/16/2025

Tonight we enjoyed a beautiful performance by flutist Erika Boysen along with Jiwon Han on piano! The performance offered a unique reflection on representation, relevance, and honoring the past while engaging with the present. 🎶

“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to reflect the times.” - Nina Simone

Don’t forget to join us tomorrow for a full day of events in the upper level of the Union!

10/12/2025

On the evening of October 6, 1998 , Matthew Shepard visited the Fireside Lounge and the events that followed led to his death in one of the most infamous LGBTQ+ hate crimes in American history. Matthew died on October 12 at 12:53 a.m. at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado with his family by his side.

In honor of his legacy, we hold space on this day for reflection and remembrance.

The annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice is coming up NEXT WEEK! 🗓 October 13–17, 2025 join us to discuss Walks of...
10/08/2025

The annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice is coming up NEXT WEEK! 🗓 October 13–17, 2025 join us to discuss Walks of Life: Dialogue, Perspectives & Action

The week is full of incredible events to highlight all walks of life and how we can come together to celebrate everyone. Mark your calendar for these events:

Monday, October 13
🎬 6:00 pm – Screening of 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture at St. Paul’s UCC

Tuesday, October 14
🗣 6:00 pm – “Reflections from a New Judge” with Honorable Eang Man, hosted by Wyoming State Bar Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Section at UW Law

Wednesday, October 15
🎶 7:30 pm – Your Program, Your Platform: Music recital with flutist Erika Boysen, at the Buchanan Center

Thursday, October 16
📚 9:00 am–4:30 pm – Symposium presentations & workshops in Wyoming Union Upper Level
🥗 11:20 am–1:10 pm – Free luncheon + keynote presentation

Friday, October 17
🏷 11:00 am–2:00 pm – Resource Fair & Shepard Community Day in the Wyoming Union Breezeway & Upper Level

Join us for a week of conversation, reflection, and action. Find the full schedule at www.shepardsymposium.weebly.com/2025-symposium.html

10/06/2025

Reflect. Remember. Erase Hate.

We are still here. Had a lovely time walking in the UW homecoming parade.
10/05/2025

We are still here. Had a lovely time walking in the UW homecoming parade.

10/01/2025

Please join the Matthew Shepard Foundation in recognition of Hate Crimes Awareness month.

Address

Laramie, WY

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shepard Symposium on Social Justice posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Shepard Symposium on Social Justice:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram