ANTHONY AMONG FIRST 'CHAMPIONS OF DIVERSITY' AWARDEES

Old Dominion's Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity recently announced the first group of winners in its new awards program, "Champions of Diversity." The program is designed to recognize individuals who have encouraged and advanced the principles of equity and diversity.

Announced on November 18th as the Administrator Champion of Diversity, Bonita Anthony, ODU Engineering Fundamentals Division assistant director and student advisor, is a longtime equity and diversity advocate. Along with the impact of her activism in the classroom, workplace and Hampton Roads community, Anthony's devotion to the concepts and ideals of equity and diversity is practiced daily in her individual advising sessions with students, and in her role as advisor to the Society of Women Engineers.

The new program is in keeping with ODU's recognition of the inherent value of equity and diversity in the classroom, workplace and community. Each month, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity will invite members of the university community to nominate people for this honor from the following categories: faculty, administrators, staff, students and Hampton Roads residents.

The selection committee is composed of representatives from across the university. Honored recipients will receive a commemorative plate and certificate, and all recipients will be honored during a ceremony at the end of the year. The Champion of Diversity who most promotes the concepts of equity and diversity will be named at this event and presented with the President's Award for Diversity.