2025 Presidential Symposium
In its 15th year, the annual Presidential Symposium on Diversity serves as a capstone event that fosters and advances ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees and community members. As we continue to propel our Strategic Plan forward, the 2025 Presidential Symposium will consist of several events focused on a different goal and audience.
- Ensure Student Learning
- Enhance Employee Experience
- Expand Community Engagement
2025 Kickoff Keynote Speaker:
Roberto Clemente, Jr
Lead by example: Opportunity & Access
Roberto Clemente, Jr. is a universally respected philanthropist, humanitarian, entrepreneur,
producer, former broadcaster, and professional baseball player. Roberto’s father,
Roberto Clemente Sr. was the first Latin American player to compile 3,000 hits in
MLB history and the first Latino to enter into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Roberto Sr. used his platform and immense athletic gift to
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the first seven years of Roberto Jr.’s life were spent
between Puerto Rico and Pittsburgh, PA. After his father’s untimely and tragic death
in a 1972plane crash while taking relief supplies to Nicaragua earthquake victims,
Roberto Jr. became his father’s voice and the spokesperson for the family. He has
continued to carry on his father’s legacy, including playing professional baseball
for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. After a series
of injuries, Roberto Jr. returned to Puerto Rico and established the RBI Baseball
Program, aimed at enhancing interest and participation in sports, with a particular
emphasis on disadvantaged children. Robert Jr. also established the Roberto Clemente
Foundation, bringing the good will works to the country and world by aiding at-risk
youth, disaster relief, and promoting global service leadership. The foundation today
is one of the most admired foundations in the country, both in and out of baseball---
utilizing the humanitarian spirit that Roberto Clemente left for the world to follow.
Throughout the last 30 years of the foundation's existence, Roberto Jr. and the team
have helped thousands of children and their families.
Roberto Jr. is deeply involved in charity work and has served on many boards and assisted
in countless fundraising efforts. He recently served as the global ambassador for
Food for The Hungry, a global non-profit focusing on serving the most vulnerable countries.
He is currently on the National Hispanic Foundation, an Ambassador Human Performance
sitting chair on a Brain Health Application called RC21X, and is a producer for an
upcoming reality show and film series. Roberto is known for his assistance within
the corporate and education realms, serving as a motivational speaker, connector,
consultant, and racial injustice educator.
In his speaking engagements, Roberto Clemente Jr. has a vast array of topics of which
he speaks on including his unique life as the eldest son of Roberto Clemente and his
role in his family– from the impact of his father’s untimely death and overcoming
obstacles with race and inequality, overcoming the odds with grief and coping mechanisms,
motivations in sports, business and Latino affairs, importance of education, humanitarianism,
motivational topics with underprivileged children, and many others.
Roberto Clemente Jr. remembers his dad's legacy: "He was a brother to all of us"
In this CBS News report, Clemente Jr. says his father was a uniter and baseball was the key he used to get into the door to fight for equality.
The Legacy: A Discussion With Roberto Clemente, Jr.
Bruce Crawford sat down with Roberto Clemente, Jr. to discover what he’s learned about creating cohesive teams and the insights he’s gained from a career of helping disadvantaged youth, as well as the lessons he’s gained from continuing his father’s legacy through the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
Previous symposium speakers include:
If you have any questions regarding the Presidential Symposium, please contact lmcque@mc3.edu