THE AWARDS

See separate story for more on each recipient.

Diversity and Principles of Community Achievement Awards

• Joshua Hori, computer resource specialist, Student Disability Center
• Tammy Hoyer, senior program manager, Undergraduate Research Center
• David Follette, professor emeritus, School of Medicine
• Mayra Llamas, program consultant, Student Recruitment and Retention Center
• Griselda Castro, associate vice chancellor, Student Affairs
• Early Academic Outreach Program staff: Michele Dyke, interim director; Karlos Carter, Hong Pham, Harold Stewart-Carballo, Rogelio Villagrana and Monica Pena Villegas, regional assistant directors; and Patty Reale, financial-personnel coordinator
• Special Transitional Enrichment Program, or STEP
• Graduate Group Complex Team, College of Biological Sciences

Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award

• Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center board of directors

Disability Awareness Recognition Awards

• Michael Colby, librarian, Shields Library
• John Hester, assistant director, facilities, Student Housing
• Blanca Ponce, safety coordinator, Sodexo
• Student Housing team: Ramona Hernandez, director, Business Services, and Desiree Schaffer, human resources supervisor
• University Extension team: Deb Irish, human resources manager, and Denise Prigge and Valerie Orick, HR analysts

By Dateline staff

UC Davis last week celebrated the Principles of Community and the people who live them — making clear that our campus is a place where diversity is to be respected and cherished.

We have been Soaring to New Heights, as the celebration is called, for 22 years now — since the adoption of the Principles of Community.

Nearly 500 people attended this year’s event, a luncheon buffet with an international theme in Freeborn Hall. The April 10 event also included the presentation of the Diversity and Principles of Community Achievement Awards, the Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award, and the Disability Awareness Recognition Awards. See separate story on the award recipients.

Rahim Reed, associate executive vice chancellor for Campus Community Relations, said of the award recipients, staff and faculty: “They represent our highest aspirations, dreams and desires — to leave this world better than we found it, and indeed through their service they have changed the campus and surrounding communities for the better.

“Their significant contributions demonstrate a sincere commitment to building a more diverse, inclusive and principled campus community.”

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter said diversity and inclusion are key elements of UC Davis’ Vision of Excellence.

UC Davis, he said, is poised to join the top tier of the world’s major research universities and become one of the preeminent models for institutions of higher education. “This role is unthinkable if we do not, as a complement to our teaching and research activities, lead the way in diversity and inclusion.”

Broad-based commitment required

Jen Wade, a development analyst in University Outreach and International Programs, told the audience: “Diversity in our campus community directly contributes to educational excellence by enabling not only outstanding staff, but students, faculty and administrators from all backgrounds to come together and learn from one another.”

Wade is chair of the Staff Diversity Administrative Advisory Committee, and Erin Peltzman, conduct coordinator for Student Housing, is vice chair.

Said Peltzer: “Supporting, embracing and increasing diversity will not be possible without a deep and broad-based commitment from the entire university community.”

The Staff Diversity Administrative Advisory Committee “will do its part," Peltzer added, "as we continue to seek information, make recommendations and support programs and activities that will ensure that our community is appropriately diverse in its makeup.

“But, more importantly, it is the responsibility of each individual member of the university community to become actively involved in programs that celebrate and promote diversity such as the Principles of Community Week events, the Campus Community Book Project, courses through Staff Development and Professional Services, and, of course, Soaring to New Heights.”

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