Revolution to Evolution

Chronicles the creation of an institution dedicated to greater diversity, inclusivity, and equity on campus

Revolution to Evolution maps the journey of the University of Washington’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D), from its inception as a list of demands on paper put forward by a dedicated group of students to its status as an internationally recognized model for university programs. Born from a national movement in the late 1960s seeking to address structural and cultural racism, OMA&D started as a core group of Black Student Union leaders at the UW who demanded changes in how the school served students of color. Emile Pitre shares deep insight into the making of the institution through candid interviews, letters, and reflections of those who participated across decades. His unique perspective and sources provide historical depth to the telling of OMA&D's sixty-year journey, often vividly sharpened by Pitre's own boots-on-the-ground viewpoint. By the time of his retirement in 2014, he was recognized as an "elder statesman" of OMA&D for his knowledge of the institution's history and his dedication to students throughout his career.

As a graduate student at the University of Washington, Emile Pitre was a founding member of the school's Black Student Union. He served as director of OMA&D's Instructional Center for thirteen years and was promoted to associate vice president for minority affairs in 2004. In 2020, Pitre received the OMA&D's Charles E. Odegaard Award, the highest achievement in diversity at the UW.