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University rewards affirmatiave actionThe University's 14th Affirmative Action and Diversity Initiatives Awards Program was held Oct. 19 in the Branscomb South Dining Room. The program provided an opportunity for the University to recognize employees and students who support the University's commitment to diversity. The awards are given in two categories: efforts for supporting affirmative action and diversity at Vanderbilt and/or support and promotion of opportunities for persons with disabilities at Vanderbilt. To be nominated, faculty, staff, students or University groups must have displayed exemplary efforts in support of Vanderbilt's commitment to affirmative action in hiring, project support or development, employee relations or other appropriate facets of affirmative action, equity and diversity. This year's ceremony opened with a performance by a string quartet from the Blair School of Music. Patricia A. Pierce, director of the Opportunity Development Center welcomed the award recipients and guests. "We are here today to honor the people who have made a difference, and the differences they make help Vanderbilt be a better place for all of us," Pierce said. Following Pierce's introductory remarks, Chancellor E. Gordon Gee spoke to the audience. "This is a celebration -- a striving for a more diverse work force," Gee said. "Differences strengthen all of us." With that, Gee, Pierce and Anita J. Jenious, assi stant director of the ODC, presented the awards. The top five recipients were awarded cash gifts of $250 by Gee, and several others received Certificates of Recognition. Daniel Cornfield, Francene Gilmer, Russell G. Hamilton, Sonya Smith, assistant dean for Law School Admissions and Student Affairs, works on behalf of minority students and students with disabilities at the Law School. Dean Kent D. Syverud credits Dean Smith with redesigning the Law School's recruitment and admissions process. As a result, 29 percent of the fall 2000 entering class are minority students, which is the highest percentage in the school's history. Students with disabilities also benefit from Smith's commitment to diversity. Accommodation procedures have become streamlined under her direction to ensure confidentiality and individuality of services for each student. Smith serves on the Appellate Review Committee for the University and has recently been appointed by the Chancellor to serve on Vanderbilt's Equal Access Committee. Rhonda Venable, Certificates of recognition were given to the following recipients: Vanderbilt's Minority Bridges Program, funded by the National Institutes of Health, blossomed from the earlier informal recruiting efforts of Louis J. DeFelice, professor of pharmacology and director of the Bridges Program. The program provides a path from the master's degree to the Ph.D., with the goal of increasing the number of people of color entering careers in biomedical research. Denise Harris, third-year medical student and president of the Vanderbilt chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), has developed a strong relationship between students of the Vanderbilt and Meharry chapters of SNMA. Her efforts have resulted in improved relations between the student bodies of both schools. She assists in the recruitment of students of color to the school of medicine. Rolanda Johnson, assistant professor of nursing, has assisted students, including those with learning disabilities, with test-taking and writing skills. On more than one occasion, Johnson has worked with students who acquire English as a second language to successfully complete the program. On her suggestion, a minority orientation program was implemented to assist new students in making a successful transition to campus life. She has assisted in minority recruitment efforts, and she serves as a student academic enhancement coordinator. Margaret Moore Darlene Panvini, assistant director/ITAP program coordinator in the Center for Teaching, has coordinated the International Teaching Assistant Program for more than 10 years. This program, which offers support and training to dozens of international graduate students each year, has tripled the number of persons it supports. ITAP offers graduate students a combination of support in teaching, language and culture. Panvini also pioneered a student consultant component of the program that allows the graduate students to develop close working relationships with undergraduate students who are U.S.-born. Allison Pingree, B. Ross Scott, assistant dean of students, is primarily responsible for new student orientation programs for the University. Because of this role, he is in a unique position to promote diversity and disability issues with students as they enter into the University community. Dean Scott and his staff assure accessibility for every student to new student orientation activities, from the Freshman Picnic to arranging wheelchairs for Freshman Parents' Weekend. He also facilitates student organization/leadership development. Pam Sevy, landscape architect for Campus Planning and Construction, was nominated for an award for her work to create an accessible University environment. In 12 years in her position, Sevy has worked to incorporate barrier-free design into campus site improvements. Examples of her work include design of the accessible main entrances to the General Library and the First Amendment Center. Sevy also was responsible for the installation of ramps on the sidewalks adjacent to Payne Hall, North Hall and the Education Library. Richard Steinhart, director of administration at the Kennedy Center, has been an advocate for employees with disabilities at the Kennedy Center and at Peabody College. He has also been a resource for referring applicants with disabilities. In addition to employment issues, Steinhart is active in improving the accessibility to the many programs and activities of the Kennedy Center. Many aesthetic and physical improvements have been made inside and outside the Mental Retardation Building to make it a welcoming environment for all visitors to campus. Cathleen Williams, Cindy Young, former assistant director of programming for the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Culture Center, was a longtime mentor for many African-American students while working in the center. Young was the founder and coordinator of Rhythm and Roots, a dance ensemble whose purpose was to recapture the unique experience of African-American heritage and express that heritage through performance. As assistant director of programming, Young was responsible for coordinating the center's events for Black History Month.
Vanderbilt
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