Christopher A. Opall, Media and Technology Support Services building technician for University Libraries, is the 2001 recipient of the Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award, which recognizes a University faculty or staff member who promotes the concept of equal opportunity through affirmative action and/or contributes to enhancing the educational environment of the University through improving cross-cultural understanding.

Opall is honored for his commitment to a diverse work environment for his staff of student employees at the Willard Building on the University Park campus, a general classroom building with hundreds of classes daily. Since 1998, he has supervised more than 20 wage-payroll employees including many African American, Hispanic American, Asian Pacific American, White American and international students, all of whom operate multimedia technology equipment and provide services to the classes.

“We see him as a hero of opportunity for minorities,” said  several students in a nominating letter.“He continually hires a diverse group of wage student employees and successfully manages and maintains a positive climate for growth and learning. We discuss issues from different perspectives and everyone’s contribution is valued.”

Opall joined Penn State in 1984 and has been at MTSS since 1992, becoming a building technician in 1998. He earned a bachelor’s degree in film and video in 1992 from  Penn State’s College of Communications.