Awards

past recipients

Community Member Award - Rev. Beth Goudy

Reverend Beth Goudy is the pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley located in Allentown, PA. She has served in that position since 1999, and has been a strong public witness for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, and transgendered people into the full life of the church and civil society. A friend to many at Lehigh University, she has exemplified leadership in her public witness for justice and peace, and among her activities in leadership is the Annual Freedom to Marry Day, which begins this year with same sex couples applying for marriage licenses at the Lehigh County Courthouse. Rev. Goudy, a graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School, and an outstanding preacher and religion columnist for the Morning Call, has worked tirelessly to embody the ideals of Dr. King's call for justice in her own life and ministry.

Community Orgainzation Award - Community Bike Works

In the thirteen years since Community Bike Works was founded, over 1,200 Allentown-area youth have participated in their programs. Among its many programs, the organization conducts a twelve-week program for youth to earn a bike by learning about bike parts and maintenance. The program focuses on developing positive self-image amongst its students and providing alternatives to involvement in gang violence. Additionally, the organization provides work opportunities for students who have graduated from the program, as well as homework and reading clubs. The staff at Community Bike Works is extremely dedicated and knowledgeable. We recognize them today for their outstanding commitment to creating better lives for children.

Corporate Award - Air Products Corporation

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. has for many years supported diversity efforts at Lehigh. Programs that they have sponsored include: scholarships, a math and sciences career fair and a multicultural awards dinner. Most recently, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. and Lehigh University Career Services have partnered to produce a ground-breaking video designed to provide assistance to international students.

Lehigh Alumnus Award - Eddie Ramos, '89

As an undergraduate, Mr. Ramos served as a mentor and was active in the Multicultural Affairs Office under the leadership of Assistant Dean, Ms. Sharon Brown, in the areas of recruitment, retention, and the Summer Excel program. He also reached out to South Bethlehem to provide academic support to local students, particularly Hispanic students and families from low income backgrounds. he continues these important outreach efforts in New Jersey and New York City. Eddie received a BS in Finance from Lehigh University and an MBA from the Columbia Graduate School of Business as a Robert Toigo Foundation Fellow. Eddie also hold the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analyst or CFA.

Lehigh Faculty Award - Seth Moglen, Ph.D.

Seth's extensive knowledge of the systems of injustice at work in our country has allowed him to effectively educate hundreds of students at Lehigh to imagining a more just world. Additionally, his work with the South Side Initiative has laid the foundation for a strong relationship with our surrounding community. Outside of his extensive involvement with the Lehigh community, Seth is a consistent volunteer with the South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center. Seth demonstrates the truest principles that Dr. Martin Luther King held dear.

Lehigh Faculty Award - Tina Q. Richardson, Ph.D.

In the empowering work she has accomplished both within the Lehigh community and abroad, including extensive work in Africa, Dr. Richardson has helped many diverse individuals facing challenging circumstances. Her commitment to multicultural training in the College of Education is evidenced by her research initiatives, recruitment of students of color, and teaching. All geared towards increasing individuals' awareness, knowledge, and skills. Additionally, she has served on numerous committees related to the inclusivity of the Lehigh community and serves as a treasured role model for students, faculty, and staff alike.

Lehigh Staff Award - Kathleen Hutnick, Ph.D.

Dr. Hutnik practices a "one world" philosophy and attempts to live that philosophy on a daily basis. Her lifelong connections with international students and professionals are numerous and diverse. She is a strong voice for social justice on so many levels...for women, for disabled, for international students, for students of color, and for gay and lesbian individuals. She is committed to promoting these principles in the work that she does for graduate students and in every interaction that she encounters.

Lehigh Undergraduate Student Award - Karl Brisseaux, '11

Karl stands out as one of the few students who kept the vigor and passion in starting the Brown and Black newspaper, which was founded in fall of 2008. In addition to keeping that fire, he has been the driving force in laying out the paper and keeping it organized with all the writers. Karl currently serves as editor-in-chief of the paper. He is also an active member of the Black Student Union and holds executive board positions in PAC and NSBE. Karl has established himself as a strong leader on campus and will, without a doubt, continue to make significant contributions to Lehigh in the remainder of his time here.

Lehigh Undergraduate Student Award - Michelle Harris, '09

Shelly has been an engaged student since she arrived at Lehigh. Her first year, she immediately became involved in Spectrum and the Women's Center, and has since joined Kaleidoscope in the Multicultural Affairs Office. Shelly has helped Lehigh students as a member of Break the Silence, the campus-wide rape and sexual assault hotline. Most recently, Shelly has used her leadership to bridge the gaps that exist among the Rainbow Room, the Women's Center, Multicultural Center, which exemplifies the vision of Dr. King applied to the needs of the Lehigh community.

Lehigh Graduate Student Award - Matthew Adib Malouf

Matt has applied his understanding of LGBTQA issues both in his academic and extra-curricular achievements by engaging in scholarship and education, disseminating his research findings at various national conferences, and engaging the Lehigh community in activities that advocate for the needs of this community. In his role as graduate assistant to the diversity Committee in the College of Education, Matthew has exhibited true leadership and inclusivity by increasing the interactions between the COE and several offices on the main campus. Matt has accomplished a tremendous amount in his time at Lehigh and has great potential to make a difference in the lives of all individuals.

Lehigh Student Organization Award - Break the Silence

Break the Silence addresses a cross-section of social justice, including gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, and age. Their sexual violence prevention awareness and education efforts reach first year students, residence halls, Greek organizations, and classrooms across campus. Break the Silence members are actively engaged in additional social justice organizations, leadership, and social service organizations. Additionally, they are committed to ongoing education and development of their own knowledge to continue to serve the Lehigh community to the best of their abilities.

Lehigh Student Organization Award - Kaleidoscope Peer Educators

The Student Coordinators of Peer Education who make up Kaleidoscope are undergraduate and graduate students who are selected and trained to facilitate social justice programs in residence halls, Greek houses, and elsewhere across campus. This dynamic group of students are passionate about issues of multiculturalism, social justice, and equity. They are well-equipped to educate their peers about a wide range of topics. Kaleidoscope was created to afford students opportunities to challenge their peers' awareness and appreciation of difference. Like the instrument for which the group is named, Kaleidoscope operates on the foundation that beauty is reflected through the sum of many parts. We recognize them today for their outstanding commitment to creating an inclusive Lehigh community.