Members of the MSU community have until the end of this month to nominate those who help broaden society's view of diversity.

The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards program, or EIDA, created in 1990, promotes and encourages diversity by recognizing people in the MSU community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in that area, said Office for Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring Director Paulette Granberry Russell.

"It gives us an opportunity to distinguish efforts of those who have supported issues around diversity broadly defined," Granberry Russell said. "We look at those efforts that support the traditional notions of diversity, as well as the efforts that go beyond."

University spokesman Terry Denbow said diversity is part of MSU's legacy.

"Our commitment to diversity is more than what we do, it's who we are," university spokesman Terry Denbow said. "It's something not only to advocate, it's something to celebrate."

Winners are selected by a group of individuals among MSU faculty, the student body and support staff.

Awards and cash prizes are given to those who recognize concepts of defeating prejudice, the need for social justice and accepting cultural differences through active efforts and artistic means.

The cash prizes range between $500 and $2,500.

Chemical engineering and Russian junior Andrew Hilleshiem won the Students Making a Difference Through Artistic Expression Award last year with digital artwork he created by piecing together images of the holocaust.

"It was an idea to show the importance of diversity by displaying a world without diversity," Hilleshiem said. "It was just so organic. It just sort of came out."

Hilleshiem said art helps him portray messages about diversity in a way that words can't.

Hilleshiem said attending the awards ceremony increased his awareness of different ways that people help to achieve diversity.

"It was enlightening to see how much work is being done in the MSU community and how many people strive to make it a better place for people," he said.