It's always a positive thing when people do good things in the community and get recognized for their actions.

It's an even a better thing when the actions are targeted toward expanding the understanding of the people of the MSU community.

People across campus are doing these impressive things in diversity. Whether they created a work of art or led community efforts, it's cool to see students and teams from all different backgrounds broadening society's view of diversity.

Seventeen individuals and groups were recognized April 15 for their efforts and accomplishments in diversity at the All-University Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards Convocation. While the awards do recognize individuals and people, they represent key issues about diversity. The awards - given to students, faculty, administrators and organizations - recognize concepts of defeating prejudice, the need for social justice and accepting cultural differences.

These awards are not just meaningful for the winners, they also are important in the community. Without efforts to branch out and make a point about diversity, many cultural and ethnic differences will go unnoticed.

The people and groups who received awards advanced diversity in new ways here.

Chemical engineering sophomore Andrew Hilleshiem did it with digital artwork.

Associate music Professor Rodney Whitaker did it by recruiting and retaining talented students into his jazz studies program.

Even the MSU libraries and the MSU Extension in Genesee County received awards for their different progressions and advances in the community.

Diversity can be found everywhere and in everything. It isn't always about someone of a different skin color or someone who is from a foreign country. Embracing the small differences among students as well as the large ones makes diversity a realized goal in a place like MSU.

The Excellence in Diversity awards recognize that fact and drive it home to MSU students.