Rutgers Presents 2018 Awards Celebrating Diversity and Social Justice
Awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion at Rutgers and in society
''[The recipients'] commitment to research, teaching, mentoring and community collaborations has distinguished Rutgers as a nexus of diversity efforts that is making a positive impact across the university.’’– Barbara Lee
The Committee to Advance our Common Purposes recently presented awards in two categories to honor Rutgers faculty, staff and organizations for their commitment to promote social justice and diversity. The awards were presented to universitywide honorees during a ceremony attended by more than 100 people.
The Leaders in Faculty Diversity Awards were presented to three faculty members who have been leaders in promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and access through their research and teaching. The Clement A. Price Human Dignity Awards were presented to faculty, staff, students and community partners in recognition of extraordinary achievement in their work and commitment to promoting and practicing diversity and inclusion at Rutgers University and in partnership with the broader community.
“They are a community of leaders that are generating a wide array of ideas across disciplines helping to promote inclusion, access and diversity,’’ said Barbara Lee, senior vice president for academic affairs. “Their commitment to research, teaching, mentoring and community collaborations has distinguished Rutgers as a nexus of diversity efforts that is making a positive impact across the university.’’
The Human Dignity Award was renamed in 2016 in memory of Clement Price, a Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, in recognition of his humanitarian vision for unity and peace through inclusion and diversity.
A special achievement award was also given to Clayton Walton, assistant professor of professional practice and executive director of Globally Engaged Experiential Learning in the School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers-Newark. He was recognized for exceptional achievement in addressing sustainable living and public health inequities in Africa, Central America and India through the International Leadership Exchange, We Care/Share Solar Program at Newark’s Malcolm X Shabazz High School.
The recipients are as follows:
2018 Leaders in Faculty Diversity Award
Rosa Chavíano-Moran, associate dean of student admissions and recruitment, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, was honored for advancing awareness in academic dentistry for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students and for distinguished leadership as director of the summer health professions program.
Jerome Langer, associate professor, Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, was recognized for leadership and commitment to mentoring underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students and initiating Ph.D. programs that are impacting the lives of students.
Richard V. Simmons, director, Confucius Institute of Rutgers University, professor of Chinese, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was honored for advancing the instruction of Chinese language and culture, initiating partnerships with public schools and promoting cultural exchanges between the United States and China.
2018 Clement A. Price Human Dignity Award
Gloria Bachmann, professor, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, was honored for her leadership in advancing the boundaries of safe transgender health care and medical efforts for diverse minority populations.
DuWayne Battle, associate professor of teaching and director of the bachelor of social work program, Rutgers University-Camden and New Brunswick, was recognized for his leadership and commitment to mentoring students and raising awareness of domestic violence and access needs for people with disabilities.
The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, Robert Hackett, president, Princeton, was honored for cultivating in Rutgers students a spirit of community service and collaboration.
Evelyn Erenrich, associate dean for recruitment and retention, School of Graduate Studies, was honored for leadership of the GR2aD Center and RiSE program and for inspiring, mentoring and educating diverse students to succeed in STEM fields.
Keith Green, associate professor, English department, Rutgers University-Camden, was recognized for his work cultivating a spirit of collaboration and respect for diversity through community engagement programs.
Peter Kahn, professor, biochemistry and microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was honored for more than 40 years of leadership in advancing social responsibility and forging intercultural collaborations leading to the global Bosnian Student Project.
Kamal Khan, director, Office for Diversity and Academic Success in the Sciences (ODASIS), School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was recognized for leadership as director of the ODASIS program and inspiring, mentoring and educating underrepresented students to succeed in STEM fields.
Roshni Rides founders Najeeha Farooqi, Hanaa Lakhani, Moneeb Mian and Hasan Usmani, alumni of Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick, were recognized for their exceptional achievement in addressing global economic injustice and equity by building affordable transportation to serve refugees.
Deborah Spitalnik, professor of pediatrics and executive director of The Boggs Center, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, was honored for her leadership of The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities and commitment to service and research influencing public policy.