Celebrating Excellence | May 2019

On Wednesday, April 19th the Division of Diversity and Inclusion celebrated students, faculty, staff, and alumni who continue to impact diversity and inclusion at RIT at the 3rd Annual Celebration of Excellence.  It was a time to share memories with old friends, learn from our history, and acknowledge accomplishments of several individuals and organizations who continue to advance diversity and inclusion efforts at RIT. 

In 2018, history was made as we celebrated the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass—abolitionist, orator and publisher.  Douglass’ legacy of giving voice to the oppressed and disenfranchised lives on in Rochester, NY today. In the same spirit of Douglass, in Spring 1969, RIT students met, strategized, envisioned, and established BACC, the Black Awareness Coordinating Committee, one year after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As noted, it began as a way for students of color to unify and build a strong voice for the African American student when very few acknowledged what they felt or had to say.

BACC was the first at RIT to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a memorial program; and now, in 2019, that work continues in Expressions of King’s Legacy. Like Douglass’ legacy, BACC’s legacy continues to be felt.

At the request of President Munson and the Division of Diversity & Inclusion, RIT intertwines the history of Douglass and BACC. 

RIT is ordering a statue of Frederick Douglass to be placed on campus in a prominent location in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of BACC and the 200th anniversary of Frederick Douglass.

Two years ago we created the Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s Beacon Awards. These awards represent the best of the best. The visionaries that keep diversity going, challenge the norms, and create pathways for the underserved. These leaders can be seen across campus in different roles from faculty to staff, alumni and students.

Division of Diversity and Inclusion’s Faculty Beacon Award. 

Dr. Andre O. Hudson, Ph.D., Professor, Head of The Thomas H. Gosnell  School of Life Sciences, College of Science

• Chair of the Isaac L. Jordan Sr., Faculty Pluralism Award Committee since 2013
• ALANNA Faculty Advisory Council 
• Faculty recruitment activities  focusing on recruiting diverse faculty as department head  
• Men of Color, Honor and Ambition mentor since inception of the program
• RIT/Rochester Prep Capstone mentor

   

Staff Beacon Award

Carol Reed, Senior Associate Director/Manager of Campus Life Facilities, in the Center for Campus Life

• Current member of the Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Staff Pluralism Award Committee and Student Scholarship Committee since 2009  
• Current mentor for students in Women of Color, Honor and Ambition leadership development program
• Has volunteered for the Expressions of King’s Legacy for over 30 years and continues to do so each year
• Staunch supporter for the MOSAIC Center 

 

Alumni Beacon Award

Abigail “Abi” McFiggins ’02

• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
• Community advocate/outreach projects
• Motorola Ambassador for RIT Engineering Student with Motorola in Chicago
• Co-founded an affinity group with Lockheed Martin-Owego for Hispanic/Latino Professionals

 

 

Student Beacon Award recipients:

Jenna VanStrander, 4th year student majoring in International Business & Global Studies

• Native American Future Stewards Program, Student Assistant
• RIT American Indian Science & Engineering Society, Secretary 
• Native American Student Association, Secretary 
• RIT Global- Dubai, Study Abroad

• Kearse Undergraduate Writing Award, Recipient

 

Cynthia Chu, 4th year student majoring in Film and Animation 

• MCAS Scholar & MCAS Advocate
• Student Government,  Women’s Senator
• ALANA Collegiate Association (ACA), President 
• RIT Asian American Alliance, Founder & President

• Joseph T Ferraro Memorial Scholarship & Alfred L. and Ruby C. Davis Scholarship, Recipient

 

Samixchha Raut, 4th year student majoring in Biomedical Sciences

• RIT Honors Program 
• HEOP Outstanding 2ND Year Student, 2017-2018 & Mentor
• MCAS Scholar & MCAS Advocate
• Women of Color, Honor and Ambition (W.O.C.H.A.), Member

• Global Union Internal Relations, Assistant Director 

 

 

WOCHA Woman of the Year

Zayneb Jaff, 3rd year Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholar and is double majoring in Metals & Jewelry Design and Pre-Health

 

 

 

 

MOCHA Man of the Year 

Abdul Rahim Al Ali, from the United Arab Emirates is a fifth-year student at the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. Majoring in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Communications

 

 

ACA Awards:

PHOENIX AWARD - Muslim Students Association

ALANA FAMILY AWARD - Latin American Students Association

AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR - Unity House

With over 300 attendees, this annual celebration was sponsored by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and co-sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Development & Alumni Relations.