Third annual Green and Golden Globe Diversity Awards commend acceptance

Emotions ran high at the third annual Green and Golden Globe Diversity Awards on Monday. Students, staff and community members were recognized for the efforts in maintaining an environment welcoming of diversity.

“[It] is just a nice way of saying thank you and show some recognition to everybody on campus that is continuing to make NDSU a leader as far as a diverse institution and being welcoming of diversity,” Diversity Program Coordinator for the Equity and Diversity Center, Regina Ranney, said.

Each division recognized various members in the campus and community that have went above and beyond their job descriptions to promote diversity, according to Ranney. Within each department, diversity awards were presented to a faculty member, staff member, student, student organization and community person or agency.

“This year, we did recognize some off-campus community members of agencies that have been very supportive of NDSU’s mission for diversity,” Ranney said.

Departments recognized at the Green & Golden Globe Diversity Awards included the Office of International Programs, the Equity and Diversity Center, the Office of Multicultural Programs and the Tribal College Liaison Initiative.

Sarah Dodd, recipient of the outstanding staff award for the Equity and Diversity Center says it feels great to be recognized at this event.

“It was really neat to be at the event and to see how many people at the university came out in support of … doing work that makes NDSU a welcoming climate,” Dodd said.

Additionally, a number of students were recognized for their academic achievements. Eight specific scholarships were awarded to students, along with several international programs junior/senior scholarships.

Tanvi Sharma, recipient of a junior/senior scholarship, says that the scholarships are a source of motivation to continually strive for academic excellence and involvement.

The event also introduced a new scholarship to its program called the Judge Bright Diversity Leadership Scholarship, recognizing a student who has contributed, either formally or informally, their leadership skills to the NDSU community.

Dodd says that these awards serve a whole other purpose besides solely recognition.

“I think that it is important to inspire other people,” Dodd said. “To see that this is something that is valued by the university, and it encourages other people to do similar kinds of work.”

With the first annual Green and Golden Glove Diversity Awards taking place at Beckwith Recital Hall in April 2010, the event has become increasingly popular among members on campus. Ranney says that the event has become better attended and formal. With growing success of the event, it is expected that the event will continue.

“I think that if you recognize positive things, you will continue to reap positive benefits,” Ranney said. “If someone is working hard, it’s nice to honor them and recognize it. We hope that the example will spread and that we can just help NDSU grow and increase the number of diverse students that come and feel welcome.”