First University Diversity Awards to be Presented Monday

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The Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education is hosting its first Diversity Awards ceremony on at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 30 in the center’s lecture hall, room 404 of the Arkansas Student Union.

Members of the University of Arkansas community have nominated students, faculty and staff for individual awards, as well as campus groups and programs for additional recognition. Awards will be given in seven categories.

All of the nominees are being honored for their contributions to a diverse and inclusive campus during the past academic year.  Winners will be announced during the event.

A reception will follow the awards announcement, with refreshments as well as live music performed by blues artist David Kimbrough III and folk artist Stacy Mackey.

“Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating and recognizing our students, staff, faculty and programs for their contributions,” said Viviana Pagan, program coordinator for multicultural educational outreach. “We also hope this event will serve as an open house for the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, a chance for the community to learn about our facilities and all we have to offer.”

Nominees for the Diversity Awards are:

Outstanding Student Leader Award: MarTeze D. Hammonds, Rogerio C. Valdez Jr. and Mengjiao Liao

Outstanding Supporting Faculty Award: Luis Fernando Restrepo, Yvette Murphy-Erby and Douglas James Adams

Outstanding Supporting Staff Award: Cynthia Jane Smith, Jeff Banks and Willyerd R. Collier Sr.

Outstanding Multicultural Program Award: Essence of History, Dream Gala and International Night Market

Freshman Excellence Award: Claudia H. Chavez, Xavier Shackelford and  Daniel MacFarland

Outstanding Student Organization Award: Black Student Association and the Black Graduate Student Association

Outstanding Service Project Award: Latino Youth Education and Dream Big