by Tanvi Chauhan, Assistant Director of Library Services, and Lauren Moye, Managing Editor
An addition to the décor of Fountain-New Library simultaneously highlights diversity while promoting unity. Visitors to the library on the Brewton-Parker College campus will notice a series of National flags suspended from the ceiling. What makes this series remarkable is that each flag represents at least one individual on campus.
Tanvi Chauhan, Assistant Director of Library Services, said, “I hope that the flags will serve as a physical reminder of the inviting and united family at Brewton-Parker College.
The idea originated in a discussion between Chauhan and Callie Smith, one of the library’s work-studies. When the topic of diversity came up following a discussion on needing new decorations, both women knew they wanted to combine the ideas. They wanted something in the library that could represent the current diversity on campus and they thought about flags. Chauhan reflected, “Immediately we scratched our heads as we attempted to recall all the international students on campus. The result was a striking list of about twenty-five countries. It was a pleasant shock for us.”
After creating their list, they had to put it in motion by finding a financial sponsor, setting up a task-force, and pushing for action. Chauhan jokingly asked, “Does it sound like a mission to you? Well, boy it was!”
She then added, “We owe the beautiful flags to the sole sponsorship of the Brewton-Parker Athletics Department. In particular Coach Prevett who loved the idea and gave his absolute consent. We would also like to thank the hardworking maintenance crew for their input – especially Mr. Tim Montgomery, who climbed the ladder and stationed all the flags himself, and Mr. Ted who supplied technical ideas on how to hook them up.”
The library flag project gained support among the many work-studies, who spread the message on campus. Smith also ordered two flags on her own.
Chauhan also wanted to thank two more individuals. She shared, “Daryl Fletcher, the Director of the Library Services, also deserves special gratitude for hearing the voices of his staff, encouraging creativity and supporting our works with a smile. I cannot end without thanking our President, Dr. Echols, without whom the business in the various departments would not function in tandem. Thank you!”