Students and Faculty Honored for Commitment to Diversity

Students and faculty were honored for their dedication to academics and furthering diversity on campus and in the surrounding community at the annual Intercultural Awards May 7 in the Wilson Room of Pfenning Alumni Center.

President Alison Byerly poses with Juannell Riley ’15. Riley received two Intercultural Awards.

Sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Development, the ceremony celebrates those who have committed themselves to addressing issues of multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice through leadership and education.

Award recipients:

• 1974 Award – Awarded to the student who most exemplifies the groundbreaking spirit of the first class of women to graduate from Lafayette by working toward equality for women on campus
  Heather Hughes ’15 (Rocky Mount, N.C.), philosophy
• Cultural Program of the Year – This award is presented to coordinators of the cultural program or initiative that most impacted the campus community in terms of its emphasis on cross-cultural dialogue, intellectual exploration of an important sociocultural or global issue, or social integration across campus affiliations.
  Association of Black Collegians, “Black Lives Matter”
• Darlyne Bailey ’74 Excellence in the Humanities and Social Sciences Award – A student whose academic/artistic accomplishments reflect an outstanding level of scholarship and advance understanding on an important issue related to diversity
  Juannell Riley ’15 (Bronx, N.Y.), government and law/philosophy
  Shabhia Akter ’15 (Woodside, N.Y.), psychology/English
• David A. Portlock Cross-Cultural Relations Award – A student who has worked diligently to promote cross-cultural relationships on campus and/or in the community
  Mariela Gratero ’15 (New York, N.Y.), philosophy/psychology
• Dr. Eugene Deloatch ’59 Excellence in Science and Engineering Award – A senior in the natural sciences or engineering whose academic accomplishments reflect an outstanding level of scholarship
  Jason Devlin ’15 (West Middlesex, Pa.), biochemistry
  Eamon Campolettano ’15 (Hicksville, N.Y.), mechanical engineering
• Frances Ocansey-Ahene Spirit of Multiculturalism Award – A
  graduating senior whose activities and commitment to academic excellence and inclusive cultural education within the community transcend all barriers and exemplify the ethos of multiculturalism at Lafayette
  Susanna Kim ’15 (Willow Grove, Pa.), policy studies/French
  Eddie Andujar ’15 (New York, N.Y.), international affairs
• Jeffrey Robinson ’80 Leadership Award – Awarded to an accomplished student who is also characterized by noteworthy leadership in college activities and student life
  Alexandria Sousa ’15 (Milford, Pa.), international affairs/environmental studies
• John T. McCartney Excellence in Diversity Education Award – A faculty member or administrator whose commitment and service to diversity on campus promote awareness and a positive learning environment for all students
  Julia Nicodemus, assistant professor of engineering studies

Alexandra Bell ’18 and Jane Rosa ’18 both received the Rising Star Award.

• Leroy Nunery ’77 Intellectual Citizenship Award – A student whose research on important social, political, or economic issues advances knowledge and involves the student in activities within a community
  Katie Graziano ’15 (West Easton, Pa.), psychology/English
• Mattachine Award – Awarded to the student who most exemplifies the courage of the Mattachine Society, the nation’s first LGBTQ rights organization, in working tirelessly to advance LGBTQ rights at Lafayette
  Daniel Mills ’15 (Folsom, Pa.), English/French
• Otis Ellis ’89 Scholar Athlete Award –This award is granted to a successful varsity athlete who has achieved an outstanding level of scholarship
  Juannell Riley ’15 (Bronx, N.Y.), government and law/philosophy
  Brittany Powell ’15 (Wilmington, Del.), self-designed major: child development and social justice
• Pard Partnership Award – Awarded to the individual, student organization, or academic or administrative department that has contributed significantly to achieving social justice through a process of collaboration around shared values
  Film and Media Studies Program

Members of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette accept the Cultural Program of the Year award.

• Riley Temple ’71 Creative and Artistic Citizenship Award – A student whose creative scholarship in the visual and/or performance arts contributes to knowledge on societal issues of multicultural concern
  Julia Guarch ’15 (Debary, Fla.), self-designed major: capturing gender in the arts
• Rising Star Award – A first-year student who has demonstrated commitment to intercultural campus engagement and potential for greatness in the years to come
  Alexandra Bell ’18 (Irvington, N.Y.)
  Jane Rosa ’18 (Bethlehem, Pa.)
• Student Advocate Staff Award – The administrative or support staff member whose expressed commitment to diversity is demonstrated through expert advising, support, advocacy, and mentorship of students of color, women, LGBTQ students, and other underrepresented identity groups
  Louise Frazier, operations manager in Admissions
• Student Organization of the Year – This award is granted to the student organization that has most impacted the campus through consistently effective cultural programming (social and/or educational)
  Hispanic Society of Lafayette
• World Citizen Award – An international student who has demonstrated commitment to local and/or global issues through academic work or co-curricular leadership
  Geraldo Pereira Neto ’15 (Araxa, Brazil), international affairs/history