The resounding message at the Ames local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People banquet was a call to dream.

This year’s theme for the NAACP banquet, which was held Thursday, was “Achieving Diversity Through Education.”

Addressing a crowd of about 200 in the Scheman Building, Ames NAACP Vice President Aaron Davenport said it is not a disgrace to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a tragedy to never dream.

He also said NAACP is relevant in today’s society.

“A lot of people don’t think we need to have a NAACP anymore,” he said. “But when the Mexicans are getting blamed for the meth epidemic and a black man is tied to the bumper of a pick-up truck and dragged in Texas — that’s proof that we do.”

Davenport said the NAACP is an organization of people who believe in the rights of all people.

Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco agreed that diversity is important to the quality of the community.

“And quality has no finish line, so let us lead on,” he said.

Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill said Iowa State also must press on in its pursuit of diversity by improving minority recruitment, retention and graduation rates.

He said ISU must improve in these areas to become the “best land-grant university” in the nation.

ISU President Martin Jischke said he is pleased with recent university initiatives made to promote diversity, such as naming the football stadium after an African American and increasing minority faculty and leadership at ISU.

“We’re making important progress,” he said, “but there’s much yet to do.”

Jischke said he is excited to see student groups on campus, such as the African American Studies Society and Black Student Alliance, contributing their efforts. “We are encouraged by the response we’re getting,” he said. “More and more people are joining us.”

Jischke also praised ISU alumnus George Washington Carver, saying that his life was inspirational, and he can ignite students to follow in his footsteps. “Carver recognized the importance of community in reaching goals, and we need to rekindle this kind of community here at Iowa State,” he said.

Ames NAACP President George Jackson said no other race in the last 70 years has come as far or accomplished as much. He said the NAACP has been a major contributor to equality in the past, and it still can advance society.

“The NAACP was there every step of the way, and the NAACP is here,” Jackson said. “We have got to be about the business of developing potential and make sure every student has the opportunity to develop and that equality with excellence is within the reach of every child.”