The Spirit of King Award is given to one student and one faculty/staff member who have made exceptional contributions to the development of a multicultural campus community. The Office of
Please join us for the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Evening of Reflection on Wednesday, January 24th, 2018 in The Hub from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Evening of Reflection is a space where students, faculty and staff can come together to honor Dr. King, Jr. and reflect on the events of the week and enjoy our guest speaker, Dr. Wes Bellamy, Mayor of Charlottesville, VA, who will give words of encouragement and inspiration.
The 2018 theme, Unify+Amplify: We Must Speak! represents George Mason University’s commitment to diversity and excellence. This theme acknowledges that in some spaces, especially in today’s political climate, many voices are often silenced. Now, more than ever, it is important that we come together while encompassing the values of Dr. King, Jr.
The MLK Commemoration Committee would like to invite you and your organization to attend this event. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.
We are now accepting nominations. Please review the award descriptions and nominate via the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/HMFqbBTd2GOgZKmV2
All nominations are due by Friday, January 12, 2018 by 5:00 p.m.
A brief description of each award is available below:
SPIRIT OF KING-FACULTY AWARD
The Spirit of King award is presented to a teaching faculty member who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of an inclusive learning environment through his/her teaching, research, or work that involves advocacy for equality and social justice. To qualify for this award, the recipient must have:
- Been employed at the institution for two or more years.
- Been significantly involved in efforts which have contributed to the improvement of within and/or across group interactions on campus.
- Exhibited cultural competence through teaching methods and/or topics, research or programmatic initiatives.
- Made meaningful contributions to students, the university, and/or the community through valuing diversity and encouraging cultural competency among students, faculty, and staff.
SPIRIT OF KING-STAFF/ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
The Spirit of King award is presented to a staff/administrator who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of an inclusive learning environment through his/her programming, advising, student leadership development or other work that involves advocacy for equality and social justice. To qualify for this award, the recipient must have:
- Been employed at the institution for one or more years.
- Been significantly involved in efforts which have contributed to the improvement of within and/or across group interactions on campus.
- Made meaningful contributions to students, the university, and/or the community through valuing diversity and encouraging cultural competency among students, faculty, and staff. This may be through programming initiatives, advising, training, or student leadership development.
SPIRIT OF KING-STUDENT AWARD
The Spirit of King award is presented to a student who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of an inclusive learning environment. To qualify for this award, the student must have:
- Full-time status; be at least a sophomore, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Been an ally or advocate for others, taken risks for issues and concerns that are greater than self, and/or contributed to creating a more inclusive environment on campus.
- Been involved in efforts, which have contributed to the improvement of within and/or across group interactions on campus.
YARA MOWAFY AWARD
The Yara Mowafy award is presented to a student who has lead, implemented, or initiated a service project towards a more equitable and just campus environment. To qualify for this award, the student must have:
- Must enrolled at George Mason University
- Be at least a sophomore, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Been an ally or advocate for others, taken risks for issues and concerns that are greater than self, and/or contributed to creating a more inclusive environment on campus.
- Been involved in efforts, which have contributed to the improvement of within and/or across group interactions on campus.
SUPERIOR SERVICE PROJECT AWARD
The Superior Service Project Award is presented to a Registered Student Organization (RSO) who has developed and executed a community service project, fundraiser, or awareness project. To qualify for this award, the RSO must:
- Be an active Registered Student Organization and in good standing with all Student Involvement policies
- The service project must have taken place in the last 12 months
- The service project must have directly benefited the George Mason University community or the greater Northern Virginia area
EMERGING ALUMNI AWARD
The Emerging Alumni Award is presented to an Alumna or Alumnus of George Mason University who embodies the Spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. To qualify for this award, the Alumna/Alumnus must:
- Must be a graduate of George Mason University
- Must have graduated before 2017
- Exemplifies George Mason University’s commitment to diversity, well-being, and innovation
- Embodies the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King in their career, academics, and personal values
RESOUNDING VOICE AWARD
The Resounding Voice Award is presented to a student who has used their voice to advocate for marginalized identities and speak out against injustice near and abroad. To qualify for the award, the student must:
- Be enrolled full time at George Mason University
- Have a demonstrated record of advocacy, activism, or community organizing
- Been involved in efforts, which have contributed to the improvement of within and/or across group interactions on campus.
Deadline for nominations is January 12 by 5:00pm.
Nominations can be delivered to the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education location in Student Union Building I, Suite 2400 emailed to mallen26@gmu.edu
Past Spirit of King Awardees
2016
Aja Clark
Student
Wendi Manuel-Scott
Faculty/Staff
2015
Rodrigo Velasquez
Student
LaNitra Berger
Faculty/Staff
Al Fuertes
Faculty/Staff
2014
Jorge Velasquez
Student
Aaron Hood
Faculty/Staff
Dr. Shelly Wong
Faculty/Staff
2013
Johnetta Saygbe
Student
Anartia Gamboa
Student
2012
Sarina Stephenson
Student
Toby Jenkins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Higher Education Program
Faculty/Staff
2011
Blake Silver
Student
Mark Hopson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Communication
Faculty/Staff
2010
Dionne Foster
Student
Erek Perry, Director of University Scholars Program
Faculty/Staff