New associate dean helps students to live in a diverse world

This summer, Lawrence A. Q. Burnley began working at Messiah College as the new associate dean of multicultural programs and special assistant to the provost for diversity affairs. Burnley’s career has focused on addressing national and global issues within diverse communities, and on advocating change through the ministry of reconciliation.

Before coming to Messiah, he served for nine years as executive for the Office of Racial/Ethnic Relations for Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, both located in Cleveland, Ohio. Burnley is currently researching the history of American education and multicultural issues in education to complete his doctoral studies.

Burnley has a heart for students at Messiah College. With Provost Randall Basinger, Burnley plans to help address institution-wide issues of diversity. He will also offer support for the underrepresented groups on campus and provide leadership for racial and cultural reconciliation.

Burnley recognizes the tasks involved in facilitating and implementing a ministry of reconciliation. The process involves listening to students share their experiences and allowing students of different groups and backgrounds to engage in dialogue with each other, he explained. He understands everyone has perceptions about other ethnicities, but his goal is to help students to uncover what has informed or influenced those perceptions. Burnley wants students to become educated about each other, so that the process of reconciliation can begin.

In January, Burnley will launch the first Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Week, and he plans to make it an annual event. This week will consist of themes that classes will address and special programs to focus on issues of reconciliation, justice, and peace.

As a parent, Burnley and his wife, Naima, understand the importance of supporting children. The couple has a fouryear- old son, Thulani, but Burnley always presents himself as a father of two. His oldest son, Rashad, passed away in 1999. Personal experience gives Burnley that desire to help and support students in their endeavors. He invites parents of Messiah College students to participate in this learning experience with their children.

Burnley’s message to parents of Messiah students is that: “I will help and challenge students to develop skills that will help them live effectively in a diverse world, to become aware of the breadth and beauty of the body of Christ, and to be involved in God’s ministry of reconciliation.”