Mason Galemore
Contributing Writer
[email protected]
On Friday, April 16, the Office of Multicultural Initiatives celebrated the 15th Annual Diversity Achievement Awards. The event was held over Zoom and celebrated campus organizations for their dedication to inclusion and diversity.
The event was hosted by the Multicultural Initiatives Executive Director S.G. Carthell.
Carthell said even though this past year was a challenge, there is still a lot to be celebrated.
“This past year has been difficult,” Carthell said. “We have lost loved ones along the way and our prayers go to every family that has suffered loss during this time. Today is a day of celebration and to recognize our students for their many accomplishments.”
The awards were centered around four community commitment themes. The themes were “Accepting One Another,” “Learning from One Another,” “Creating an Atmosphere of Positive Engagement” and “Challenging Racism and Bias.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Tim Todd also spoke at the event. Todd said he looked forward to recognizing many of the students for their academic excellence and their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“The key for each of us is to find what motivates us,” Todd said. “I have been fortunate to talk to students who tell me their motivation comes from their family and friends. I want to say thank you to them for being an essential part of the journeys of the students at Murray State University.”
The first award given was the Arpana and Archana Gambiraopet Campus Impact Award to the United Way of Murray-Calloway County. The president of the organization, Paul McCreary, accepted the award.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” McCreary said. “It means a lot because this is an award for the community. We are very proud of our very diverse board, volunteers and other assistance that we were able to distribute in that last 11 months.”
United Way also gave over $91,000 in rent and utility assistance during COVID-19.
The annual Daniel Milam Student Leadership Award was also given during the ceremony. The award is given to student groups at Murray State that show dedication to inclusion on and off the University.
The recipients for the award this year were the International Student Organization, the National Pan Hellenic Council and the Black Student Council.
The National Pan Hellenic Council is a Greek life organization that has traditionally been Black. The organization prides itself on the inclusion it provides.
Representative senior political science major Janae Martin accepted the award on behalf of NPHC.
“We are here to lend a helping hand to the community and to the students of Murray State,” Martin said. “If there is anything you need, please feel free to reach out.”
The Black Student Council also received the Daniel Milam Student Leadership Award. Junior occupational safety and health major and Treasurer of the Black Student Council Lily Sanchez accepted the award for the organization.
“I want to thank Dr. Carthell for keeping Black Student Council running throughout the years and President Bob Jackson for continued support for our organization,” Sanchez said. “I also want to thank the students and peers that attend our meetings.”
The Students organization awards, Academic Achievement Awards, Distinguished Academic Achievement Awards and the Exemplary Academic Achievement Awards were also given during the ceremony.
More than a dozen individual and group awards were given. Carthell said the 16th annual Diversity Awards will be in-person.