STAR Awards recognize student leaders

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Keith Motley

Student leaders will be recognized at the 2013 STAR Awards being held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, in the University Gallery at Rochester Institute of Technology. The annual event and gala dinner, sponsored by RIT’s Multicultural Center for Academic Success, showcases the academic achievements of its students and their contributions to campus clubs and organizations.

The spotlight will be on graduating seniors from the center’s programs who have achieved GPAs of 3.0 or better, and outstanding students within AALANA clubs and organizations. The AALANA Collegiate Association, Unity House, the Latin Student Association along with 11 other organizations will distribute awards to student leaders. Multicultural Center for Academic Success Awards are also given to faculty and staff, including the Unsung Hero and Community Partner of the Year awards.

“STAR Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the successes of our students and the contributions of our student and campus partners,” says Candice Baldwin, director of the center. “In MCAS, we believe it is important to recognize the milestones and accomplishments of our students and thank those who contribute tirelessly to making RIT a strong, vibrant campus community that values diversity. This is our thank-you to everyone who continues to support MCAS and embodies our mission.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Keith Motley, chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston. He leads an institution with nearly 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students and has held several key leadership positions in his more than 20 years in higher education administration. Motley also founded the Roxbury Preparatory Charter School, the nonprofit organization Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts Inc., and the Paul Robeson Institute for Positive Self-Development, an academic and social enrichment program for school-aged children of color.

Motley serves on numerous boards of community organizations including Carney Hospital, Freedom House, the Boston Sports Museum, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, and the Boston Committee for the “Do the Write Thing Challenge,” an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence.

The event will be hosted by Heath Boice Pardee, RIT’s associate vice president of Student Affairs, and Jonathan Ntheketha, assistant director of first-year initiatives in the Multicultural Center for Academic Success. It will also feature a musical performance by local singer Brittany Walker.