Congratulations to this year's Diversity Awards Recipients!!

click here to see pictures from this year's award banquette night

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., Ed.D [See URI press release]

A native of Tampa, Florida, Dr. Lafayette is celebrated for his numerous roles fostering advocacy for nonviolent social change. As Director of URI’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, he has forged the creation of an international network of centers for Kingian nonviolence in nations as diverse as the United States, South Africa, Colombia, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. As a Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at URI, he has fostered renewed attention to the applied study of nonviolence education as well as to the history of the modern American civil rights movement in schools, universities, and communities throughout the state, the nation, and in other countries. As Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Race and Police-Community Relations, he has guided the state in identifying impediments to positive interactions between police and their diverse constituents; and developing recommendations for legislation, policy, education, and training. As Founder of God-Parents Clubs, Inc., he has worked to stem the systematic incarceration of black youth.

Featured in at least three books, David Halberstam’s The Children; Taylor Branch’s Pillar of Fire; and John Lewis’ Walking with the Wind; and the PBS video documentary, “A Force More Powerful”, Lafayette entered history in 1960 as one of the eight student leaders of the Nashville (TN) Campaign, one of the defining moments of the American Civil Rights Movement. Later in 1960, he helped to found the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the most youth-oriented of the major civil-rights organizations of the 1960’s. In 1961, he participated in the heroic Freedom Rides, resulting in the desegregation of interstate bus travel. In 1962, he became his storied association with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., serving as National Program Administrator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and organizing the Alabama Voter Registration Project. In 1965, he was a central figure of the Selma (AL) Campaign, another major moment in civil rights history. In 1968, he was selected by Dr. King as National Coordinator of the Poor People’s Campaign

Undergraduate Student Excellence (Academic/Service) Award

Suchismita Datta

Suchismita is majoring in biomedical and electrical engineering, with a minor in leadership studies and German. She has participated in the following while at the University of Rhode Island: URI 101 Mentor, Group Leader for the leadership retreat for first year students; a mentor for the Rose Butler Brown Program for Women of Color, an active participant in the World Voices and World Visions, a member of the Indian Students Association; MCC Unity Weekend and Student Organizational Retreat; Students for Sustainable Peace, as the secretary for Theatro Latino, as an exhibitor for the URI Assistive Technology Fair, and the Jumpstart Program, whereby, Suchismita was an Americorps member. Suschismita’s work and efforts in the programs mentioned has provided her with numerous opportunities to research parts of our society hardly ever acknowledged, touched the lives of people and increased their awareness on pluralistic acceptance beyond the borders of URI.

Elvira Arias

Giving back to her community has been very important to Elvira. Volunteering at the homeless shelter, at soup kitchens, refurnishing houses for the homeless to painting benches and fences are only but a few of her unselfish acts and deeds. Elvira also worked as a Jumpstart corps member. She helped children literacy, reading and their social skills. In her efforts to create a constructive campus environment, Elvira has worked as an orientation leader, as a leadership guide, and a mentor to college freshman. Through out college Elvira has been a member of the Latin American Student Association. Her first three tears as secretary and the remaining as an active member. In addition, Elvira has participated in Boxes and Walls. A creative and interactive program designed to raise awareness about the forms of oppression and discrimination.

Undergraduate Student Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award

Tara Germond

What is Boxes and Walls? Just ask Tara Germond, a Raise Your Voice fellow, who has brought this diversity education tour to the East Coast last year. She has organized and coordinated a 7-day community arts project to raise awareness about different forms of discrimination in an interactive way using role playing, art, music, and images of film within each room (or box). Under Tara's leadership, many student organizations, such as NAACP, LASA, SSD, Raise Your Voice, URI Student for Social Change, Renewable Energy Club, JumpStart, Agape, Promotion for the Awareness of Gender and Equality, ICON, etc., were brought together. Hundreds of students attended this event, which educated them about diversity. This year the program focused on environmental racism, hunger, poverty, homelessness, discrimination within the criminal justice system and within the media, as well as a look at the labor force. Tara is also a national student fellow for the non profit organization Campus Compact. During the summer 2004, she facilitated regional and national workshops about Boxes and Walls as a way to help others on campus across the country learn more about the alternative forms of diversity education.

Momodou Jobe

Many people may recognize this recipient as the President of Sigma Pi
Fraternity, Chairperson of Student Senate Cultural Affairs, Treasurer of the Model United Nations or as a member of the College Democrats. Momodou, who is a native of the African country Gambia, was the founding father of the Sigma Pi fraternity. Today he is also the first black president of Sigma Pi, which is also the most diverse fraternity in the Greek system at URI. In fact, all Sigma Pi chapters now follow the model that the URI chapter has set forth in the way of diversity. As chairperson of the Student Senate Cultural Affairs, he was a student leader who kept the peace during the celebrations after the Red Sox won the World Series. As treasurer and member of the Model United Nations, he worked tirelessly to inform students about world issues, such as hunger, poverty, war and injustice. He also promoted hunger awareness by holding a hunger banquet on the Quad. Momodou also organized a group of URI students to volunteer at the St. Patrick's meal kitchen on Thanskgiving and Christmas. In addition to serving as an active member of the various student organizations, Momodou manages to fit time to attend classes at URI. He also makes sure that he communicates with URI administrators. Just ask Tom Dougan, who Momodou talks to almost every day.

Undergraduate Student Excellence (Artistic/Cultural) Award

Elka Arredondo

Elka is the new President of Teatro Latino. It is her responsibility to organize the performance of plays. She has used her role as President to increase diversity by expanding the focus of the Teatro Latino organization, which is mainly Latin American, to include other minority cultures as well. She has helped to create a constructive campus environment by encouraging students to get involved with the Teatro Latino organization. The members are from many different countries. They hope to foster understanding of their culture’s beliefs and values through their performances and interactions with one another. Elka does her work diligently and with respect for everyone. Through her leadership, the quality of their performances has improved and the possibility for student participation has increased.

Emily Chen

Emily is a very active member of the URI Music Department performing both in the URI Symphony Orchestra and Undergraduate Honors String Quartet. An excellent violinist, she is always willing to volunteer when asked to perform both on and off campus. She has used her love of music as a conduit to foster multiculturalism by encouraging her young students and peers to perform with musicians of different races and religions. Emily has demonstrated cultural leadership by participating in a successful petition to have the Chinese language taught on campus. Emily is open-minded and respectful of others. She conducts herself in a professional manner and is an excellent representative of the University.

Graduate Student Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award

Darshell Silva

Darshell Silva is involved with the Community Research Network, Golden Key National Honor Society, REFORMA, The Black Caucus of the ALA, New England Library Association and the URI First Book Campus Advisory Board. Her nominator stated that “ In my thirteen years at the University of Rhode Island, I have never met a student like Darshell who knows how to take initiative, is self-motivated and self-reliant in the classroom, on campus, in her practicum placements, and in her community service. She reminds me of the Little Engine That Could and she never quits.” Darshell is always busy as she seeks to improve the quality of life on campus by promoting” service learning as well as a lifelong commitment to community service.” She believes it is important to encourage others to collaborate and get involved because with diversity “everyone brings something different to the process,” and as such “they are an asset.” Darshell has been actively involved in promoting unity and diversity to the campus community and beyond through various organizations and events. She is responsible for encouraging students and others to meet, greet, collaborate and network. She is a professional that gets the job done. Darshell has worked with college students, peers, and faculty. Recently she has worked with children in an effort to get them interested in reading. Regardless of her target audience, she is dedicated, focused and committed to reaching beyond the status quo to make this a better place in which to reside. Darshell has done an exemplary job just by believing like the Little Engine, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

Malini Som

Malini Som has been a graduate assistant hall director for the past three years and much more. She has coordinated the Women of Color Conference, which promotes inclusiveness through the Rose Butler Brown Women Studies program and the Summer Conference Program. And if that is not enough, she teaches an introductory Communications Studies course. In all that she endeavors to do, Malini exhibits a commitment to excellence and is respected by her peers, co-workers and the students she supervisors. By all accounts, she is determined, committed, inclusive, fair, and funny and takes advantage of any opportunity to ensure that diversity is more than just a buzzword. Malini does not purport to “possess a full understanding of what this world holds,” but she does believe in “the better capacity for a better understanding.” According to Malini, when she first arrived on campus she did not envision that she would develop such a passion and commitment to diversity. But her natural desire to learn and develop resulted in getting involved and educating herself until she was transformed from a student into a teacher. Now, she shares her knowledge with all that will listen. Malini is committed to exposing others to a perspective or experience they may not have been privy to in order to encourage them to look for commonality, whether it is through music, study or relationship building. She has traveled extensively; thereby experiencing first-hand the lessons she teaches and she truly enjoys interacting with the students as she helps them adjust to life on a college campus.

Staff/Administrative Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award

Cleveland Kurtz

Cleveland Winfield Kurtz served in the US Navy from 1968-1970 and later obtained both his B.A. and M.A. from Brown University. He teaches the BGS introductory course which is the “entry point” course for all adult students in Providence. Cleveland receives adult students with diverse backgrounds and experiences and brilliantly guides them into programs of study that lead them to their dreams. At nearly every graduation, students’ mention his name as the reason why they came and stayed at URI and attribute their success to him. The majority of students Cleveland works with are minority, disabled, poor, veterans and women. Many have histories of alcohol and drug abuse and many have served time in prison. The success of Cleveland in changing the lives of many stems from his own life experience. He lived his childhood in segregation and discrimination, his young adulthood as a Vietnam veteran, and his post service life included a return to education and earning degrees from a prestigious institution. He is an activist for social and political justice and an inspiration to many who encounter adversity in life.

Stephen Pennell

Steven Pennell has been Artist in Residence and Instructor in the Department of Theater at the URI Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Continuing Education for 8 years. Mr. Pennel obtained his A.B.D. from Ohio State in Theater, his M.A. from NYU in Educational Theater and his B.A. from RIC. He has enriched the lives of the URI community by adorning the walls of the Feinstein Providence campus with his art. For years Steven has brought a multimedia art experience that has led to a greater understanding of the perspectives, values and beliefs of others. Through his “art” Steven has taught us that no person, medium, age, or group should be excluded. He has made his art dynamic by incorporating, theater and readings and created a greater appreciation of people who might otherwise be unknown or misunderstood. His approach to healing and building bridges through art has dealt with complex issues of racism, hunger, and genocide in a manner that was enriching and exciting. The numerous visits by many officials, groups, and exhibitors to his exhibits are a testament to his impact on his community and the world.

Faculty Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award

Dr. Lynne Derbyshire

Dr. Lynne Derbyshire, Associate Professor and Chair of Communication Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, is highly regarded for her exemplary efforts to enrich our curriculum and to ensure that URI is a safe and supportive place for everyone to learn, work and live. She, along with Co-PIs C. B. Peters, Bette Erickson, and Melvin Wade, were awarded a major grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to address issues of multiculturalism and diversity, and she headed the Multicultural Student Fellows Program, a key project funded by the grant. Dr. Derbyshire helped foster development of a multicultural emphasis in the curriculum in Communication Studies and in general education offerings, and received a Feinstein Service Learning Grant for incorporating activism in teaching multiculturalism. She played an active role on the Women’s Equity Committee and in the negotiations with the Brothers United for Action to develop positive outcomes that supported students, faculty, staff, programs, and the University. Through her participation in the Bridges and Diversity Retreats, Diversity Weeks, and the Diversity Task Force, Dr. Derbyshire has consistently promoted an inclusive campus community. Along with colleague, Dr. Arthur Stein, Professor of Political Science, she coordinated the acclaimed Fall 2000 Honors Colloquium on “Nonviolence: Legacies of the Past, Bridges to the Future,” that featured Coretta Scott King and legendary folk artist Pete Seeger, among others.

Dr. Francine Roy

Dr. Francine Roy, Assistant Professor of Education in the College of Human Science and Services, has actively worked to infuse equity awareness and cultural competence into her teaching of mathematics to pre-service and in-service teachers, and into her research and service. She serves on her College’s Diversity Committee, and the Diversity Committee for the $7.5 million RITER grant awarded to Dr. David Byrd, Director of the School of Education, and Dr. Peter Adamy, Assistant Professor of Education. Additionally, Dr. Roy is working with the Central Falls School District in Rhode Island to improve the teaching of mathematics and is actively involved in mentoring beginning mathematics teachers at Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts. Dr. Roy is deeply committed to making high level mathematics accessible to all students, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. She is disseminating the results of her inclusive approach to mathematics education at professional conferences such as the American Educational Research Association. Dr. Roy is a strong advocate and advisor for diverse students on campus wishing to enter the teacher certification program. She works to produce high quality mathematics teachers who can educate and encourage a diverse community of learners to excel.

Organization Excellence (Leadership/Service) Award
Dreams of Diversity Through Dance

One of the most natural and joyful ways to broaden our experience of the world’s diversity is through the arts. Whether as performers or audience, we can feel the rhythms of other cultures’ pulse through our hearts and limbs and understand a little bit about their souls and their heritage. The mission of Dreams of Diversity Through Dance (D3) is to introduce its members and the University community to the richness of cultures through dance. The group welcomes both experienced and novice dancers of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. The only requirement is an open mind and the willingness to learn. Operating with the values of non-violence and inclusiveness, the troupe establishes an atmosphere encouraging the safe exploration of self and other through movement, creating the level of trust that is called “family.” Under the dedicated leadership and direction of its student instructor, Augusto Dugal, the group has shared its spirit of exploration through performances both on and off campus at Diversity Week, the Memorial Union Anniversary, the Kwanza Ball, Mercy Mount Country Day School and the RI Training School. We salute you Augusto, and every one of your dancers for bringing more of the world’s beauty to our community.

Zeta Beta Tau

Zeta Beta Tau originated as a group for men not welcome in Greek Letter fraternities because of their religion and ethnicity. It evolved as one of the first fraternities to welcome men of all races, colors, and creeds. It has further evolved at URI as a new kind of fraternity. The ZBT version of brotherhood emphasizes individuality and welcomes diversity in several ways. They publicly and privately monitor their language for inclusiveness. They eliminated pledging and the hazing that often goes with it. They use the creativity of their brothers and new members to devise exercises that make statements about society and the world they want to create. This group has gained a reputation for extending personal energy beyond the usual philanthropic activities of Greek chapters, emphasizing service as a way to learn about diversity. They have mentored children with developmental disabilities, volunteered in communities where the need is great and the languages is not English, sponsored the Holocaust Vigil, donated physical labor to the Meeting Street School. Last fall, members gave 567 hours collectively to active community service. On May 5, ZBT will co-host the first annual event called “Breaking the Barrier;” a talent showcase for diversity to raise funds for the Children’s Crusade. ZBT has raised the bar for the Greek system and has received much recognition both locally and nationally. However, no recognition surpasses the significance of this Diversity Award. This is a group that puts its energy where its values are.

Awards Celebration are held on:
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Memorial Union Ballroom
6:30-8:30pm

Last updated: 11/28/2005