上周六，林奇堡大学多元文化服务办公室举办了第四届多元文化盛会, April 30.
The popular, student-planned event — a rare opportunity for students, faculty, 员工们盛装打扮，走上红地毯——在霍尔校园中心的纪念宴会厅举行. 来自校园和周边社区的220人参加了这次活动. 虽然门票是免费的，但活动官方已经“售罄”.”
多元文化联欢会庆祝校园里的多样性、公平和包容. 今年的活动包括照相亭、晚宴、颁奖和现场娱乐活动. 演出由钢琴家Summer Campbell ' 23和林奇堡大学吉他合奏团提供, composed of Campbell, Alberto Marrero Sanchez ’24, John Cash ’25, and Nyccol Contreras ’23.
2022年的主题是“遗产继续”，主讲人是83年的纳特·马歇尔, 大学校董会成员及前主席.
“He has a legacy here,” said Annette Stadtherr, 林奇堡多元文化服务和家长家庭项目主任. “He’s an alum of the University. He’s a parent of the University; his daughter went here. He’s a trustee member. So, he has a long legacy here. 这些奖项是与该机构的价值观相一致的遗产奖.”
晚会得到了校园内外众多团体的赞助. 发展办公室和校友关系办公室赞助了“总统桌”,这些表格是由学术成就中心赞助的, the Office of Housing and Residence Life, athletics, the Center for Community Engagement, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Multicultural Services.
IRON Lives, a local youth mentoring program founded by Dr. Derrick Brown ’12 MEd, ’18 EdD, also sponsored a table. Dr. 艾莉森·乔丹14届教育学博士是铁生活的执行董事和晚会主旨发言人马歇尔担任其董事会成员.
The following awards were presented at the gala:
The Leaving Your Legacy award, 哪个奖项授予“展现了卓越领导力”的高年级学生, along with service in areas of diversity and inclusion,” was presented to Shadaya Cooper ’22.
无私英雄奖颁给了23岁的辛西娅·马丁内斯和23岁的尼可·孔特雷拉斯. 它表彰那些“在幕后以积极的态度无私地工作，并愿意在任何必要的能力上提供帮助”的学生.”
“永远成长”奖授予坚持公平与包容办公室价值观的一年级学生，并被描述为“不断发展的领导者”，反映了林奇堡“永远成长”的愿景.” This award was presented to Josiah Randles ’25.
The Voice of Peace and Inclusion Award honors a student, faculty, 或者是“用自己的声音来促进个人包容”的员工, professional, and/or collegiate journey.” This year’s honoree was Adrieanna Vest-Turner ’22 MPH.
Vest-Turner, 多元文化服务研究生助理兼晚会策划委员会主席, 并获颁多元文化卓越服务奖.
Claudio Otero III ' 20,22 MEd被授予杰出多元化领导奖. 该奖项旨在表彰“积极并致力于林奇堡大学使命”的学生, 确保十大正规平台社会的所有成员都得到公平和公平的对待.”
The recipient of the Exemplary Mentor Award was the Rev. Dr. Katrina Brooks, Lynchburg’s assistant chaplain. 该奖项旨在表彰“为学生树立榜样”的教职员工,” “is dedicated to empowering students to become leaders,” who encourages integrity, and is a “beacon of inspiration.”
社区参与奖授予那些致力于扩大“多样性和包容性概念，以影响周围林奇堡社区”的人.” The award was presented to Elijah Harrison, 攻读工商管理硕士学位的研究生.
耐心与坚韧奖因大理石狮子而得名, Patience and Fortitude, which stand guard in front of the New York Public Library. During the Great Depression, 纽约市长以他认为纽约市民需要的品质来命名狮子.
这个奖项是颁发给“在林奇堡大学体现了耐心和坚韧的理想”的人.” It was presented to Donzailya Berg ’23.
“公平与包容办公室年度组织奖”授予“积极促进多样性”的校园组织, equity, and inclusion; holds promise to their mission statement; and has been devoted to community service.” The award was presented to Alpha Psi Lambda.
The Helen Mundy Witt Multicultural Award, the night’s most prestigious award, was presented to Jer Bryant ’03, ’10 MA. Bryant is an assistant professor of English, Richard H. 他是威尔默写作中心主任，也是该校的跨宗教牧师.
该奖项是以已故的海伦·芒迪·威特的名字命名的，她是林奇堡的第一位黑人毕业生. 该奖项旨在表彰那些“通过促进团结来加强校园包容文化的人”, diversity, and respect; created opportunities for underrepresented populations; and/or encouraged positive community between persons of different backgrounds.”
Bryant received numerous nominations for the award. In one, a student described him as “the most empathetic, caring, 是我见过的最真诚的人”，也是“温暖和理解的缩影”.”
They added, “Jer reserves judgment. 他经常与他人交谈，以便更多地了解塑造他们日常生活的经历. He avoids speaking negatively about any particular group, 但也为那些历史上被边缘化的人提供了空间.”
另一个人形容他是一位“激励和鼓励人们爱自己、尽自己最大努力的了不起的领导者”, whether it be in class, in the writing center, or in the spiritual life groups. 他热衷于文化多样性，为任何宗教的人提供安全的空间, race, or creed.”
然而，另一名学生总结说，“校园里没有人比杰里-布莱恩特更适合获得这个奖项。.”
