Smart said it's important that the university recognize the contributions of all citizens. "So many times, we focus on our Founding Fathers, and it is predominantly a white history. And so it is really appropriate what everyone in the history of our country has brought to the table," Smart said. One of the upcoming events is a faculty member from a visiting university presenting, "The Beauty and Burden of Being a Black Professor." Smart said that is a particularly important topic, based on his experience leading the university. "Many of our faculty and staff of color face additional challenges, more issues than our white faculty and staff do," Smart said. He shared an example of a Sociology professor who receieved a grant to incorporate anti-racist initiatives into his curriculum. A stranger learned of the grant and sent the professor a negative email saying the initiative was worthless.