Various MSU students, faculty, staff and departments were commended for their commitment to multiculturalism Thursday afternoon.
Nearly 300 people filled the Kellogg Center Auditorium for the All-University Excellence in Diversity awards convocation. The event celebrated the accomplishments of those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, said Judy Ferris, a psychologist with MSU’s Counseling Center who emceed the event.
“We are here to honor and recognize those who take the extra step to spend their time implementing strategies to make diversity a reality,” she said.
Thursday’s event was dedicated to Ann Bolger, the former director of the Department of Residence Life who died in December at age 43. She was known for her commitment to diversity at MSU.
“Ann Bolger provided an excellent example of implementing strategies for diversity and continually showed us how to raise the standard of excellence,” Ferris said.
Also recognized during the convocation was Dorothy Harper Jones, senior consultant to the provost for diversity issues.
“Dorothy’s career has been one example after another where she has made an extraordinary impact in the lives of many people,” Provost Lou Anna Simon said.
Awards were presented to several members of the MSU community, such as Curtis Stokes, an associate professor in James Madison College and a member of the university’s Black History Committee, and Stoney Polman, a specialist adviser for the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.
The Multi-Ethnic Retention Group in the Office of Financial Aid, the Holden Hall building and food service staff and members of the Pow Wow committee for the North American Indian Student Organization were also honored at the convocation.
“It’s rewarding that someone recognizes all the work we put into this event, especially,” said sociology senior Teresa Magnuson, who worked on NAISO’s committee. “I don’t think people know how much work we do because we have so few people working on it.”
For the first time ever, students who have made a difference through their artistic expressions were recognized.
Michaelina Magnuson, Teresa’s sister, received an award for her painting of Joe Marcus, a Taos Pueblo Indian who has passed down traditional Native American songs to future generations.
“It’s really making me feel good that you’ve presented an opportunity for me to make my whole family proud,” said the family and community services senior as she accepted her award.
