PULLMAN — The creation of a new Faculty Diversity Award last year at WSU generated so much enthusiasm that it will be presented along with the University’s other faculty awards during the annual Showcase event, March 27, 2009.
The WSU Office of the Provost and Division of Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity are calling for nominations and applications for the 2008-09 Faculty Diversity Award. Nominations and applications can be submitted online at www.thedivision.wsu.edu or http://provost.wsu.edu/awards_program/. The deadline is Dec.30.
“We received so many outstanding applications for last year’s award that the award selection committee had a challenging time choosing a winner,” said Alex Tan, WSU’s Diversity Faculty Fellow. “I encourage people to resubmit nominations and applications from last year and we certainly welcome new ones as well.”
The Faculty Diversity Award was developed by a faculty committee seeking ways to recognize faculty members who are doing outstanding work in their classrooms, in their research, and in their communities to advance the understanding of diversity. Tan said the visibility the award generates for diversity excellence will also help WSU attract more diverse faculty.
WSU Provost Warwick Bayly said the quantity and quality of the applicants for last year’s award confirmed his belief that WSU faculty greatly value diversity and take this kind of work seriously. “Having President Floyd present the award during our Academic Showcase event this spring elevates its stature to reflect the importance of this work to our university and our society.”
The recipient of this year’s award will be invited to speak during the WSU Martin Luther King Convocation planned for February 2009.
WSU College of Education Professor Michael Pavel received the inaugural award last winter for his extensive diversity teachings at WSU, as well as his research and service benefitting Native American communities.
