Maggie Chen Hernandez, coordinator for MSU’s Multicultural Center, said while students often work for racial diversity, they seldom receive recognition for their endeavors.
“A lot of the effort to push for multiculturalism at Michigan State comes from students and students should be recognized for some of their outstanding contributions and efforts,” she said.
Chen Hernandez and MSU’s Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring hope to change that.
The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards Program will provide cash awards to individuals, teams, organizations and students who have shown a commitment to promoting and supporting diversity at MSU.
As many as three individual students and three student teams will be awarded $2,500 through the “Excellence in Diversity” and “Excellence Within Community” categories. Up to three organizations that have demonstrated “Excellent Progress Toward Achieving Diversity and Pluralism” will be recognized with plaques.
Starting this year, students can also enter paintings, short stories, sculptures, music and other art forms for the “Students Making a Difference Through Artistic Expression” awards.
Paulette Granberry Russell, MSU’s director of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring, said art can play a vital role in promoting multiculturalism.
“As we look at all of those expressions, we are trying to communicate to students that even through art, we can advance diversity,” she said. “Fine arts, photographs, paintings, drawings and Web sites all express diversity. They help to promote diversity and multiculturalism.
“Most recently I’ve seen rap, where the theme is on the meaning of diversity to that student.”
Up to three artistic expression nominees will receive $500 awards to be presented during the program’s awards ceremony on April 19.
While Chen Hernandez said the awards have existed since the early 1990s, a student has never received the honor. Lack of awareness and intimidation by the application process may have kept students away in the past, she said.
A nomination working session will be held Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Multicultural Center, located in the Union basement.
Chen Hernandez said the session is designed to draw in student interest and assist students in getting a head start on turning in nominations.
“This should help students through the process so that they can walk away from the session with the nomination packet completed for submission,” Chen Hernandez said.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. March 2 at the Office of Affirmative Action, 303 Administration Building. All participants must be students and can be nominated by fellow students, faculty, staff members or themselves.
For more information, call 353-3922, or visit www.msu.edu/~aacm.
