Last modified: Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Commission on Multicultural Understanding presents 2005-06 COMU awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding recently honored five individuals and one program with its 2005-06 COMU awards. The awards, created in 1994, are given in recognition of actively supporting, participating in or encouraging the exploration of cultural diversity in and around the Indiana University Bloomington campus. The awards are given in the categories of undergraduate student, graduate student, staff member, faculty member, community member and program.
This year's COMU award recipients are:
Undergraduate student -- Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones, a Hutton Honors College scholar, is a senior with a double major in psychology and sociology. She has been active on and off campus in a variety of cultural diversity initiatives, including helping to recruit minority students to the university through the Multicultural Outreach Recruitment Educators (MORE).
Graduate student -- Kevin Earl Colbert
Kevin Colbert is finishing a master's degree in education and for two years has served as the graduate assistant for leadership development in the Department of Residential Programs and Services. He has done countless educational programs on diversity issues, has been a role model for social justice issues, and has served as a mentor to many new students.
Staff member -- Barry Magee
Barry Magee is assistant director for diversity education in the Department of Residential Programs and Services. For well over a decade Barry has lived his commitment to diversity education, providing leadership for such initiatives as the CommUNITY Education Program and Conversations on Race. He is an effective activist who has inspired hundreds of other faculty, staff and students.
Faculty member -- Raquel T. Anderson
Raquel Anderson is associate professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. She has been a volunteer for countless programs and services both on and off campus, including La Casa's Platicas Program, IU's Affirmative Action Committee and Middle Way House. She was a founding co-chair of the Latino Faculty and Staff Council, and she has worked closely in support of Spanish-speaking members of the Bloomington community.
Community member (presented jointly to) -- Rev. Bill Breeden and Rev. Mary Ann Macklin
Bill Breeden and Mary Ann Macklin are co-ministers at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Bloomington. For many years both have been available to students and other members of the campus community, regardless of their religious affiliation, ethnic or cultural group, race or sexual orientation. They have been consistent and powerful voices for social justice and have helped with many educational programs to spread light and hope.
Program Award -- Katrina relief effort
Almost 200 IU students gave up a week of their semester break in December 2005 to help with clean-up efforts in Biloxi, Miss., in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the clean-up work, the group made powerful bonds among the diverse group of students who represented different majors, lifestyles, cultural backgrounds, racial groups and interests. COMU is very proud of Katie Schluntz, the student organizer, and the rest of the students who participated in this program.
The Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding
COMU has the general purpose of gathering information and encouraging programs and activities that will increase awareness and understanding of the factors which lead to racism and other forms of oppression in society and on our campus. With education at the core of the commission's efforts, students, staff and faculty all are responsible for contributing to this awareness and understanding.
COMU provides a vehicle for members of the campus community to use in promoting greater communication among all persons on campus, regardless of race, age, religion, ability, gender, sexual orientation and socio-economic status. Through increased communication and deliberate educational efforts that address issues of oppression, the commission can enhance the campus climate and, in so doing, serve as an exemplary role model for society.
