UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On April 9, the Council of College Multicultural Leadership held its 9th annual Way Paver Awards Ceremony. The council consists of the associate and assistant deans, directors, and coordinators of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Offices in the academic colleges at University Park.

The Way Paver Award was established in 2011 to recognize members of the Penn State and the State College community who “have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to diversity and the creation of an inclusive community; positively enhanced student life and the climate throughout the University and local community; and motivated others through their leadership and impeccable character.” The awards recognize University administrators, faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students and members of the surrounding areas. Awardees are nominated by their peers and mentors and chosen by the Way Paver awarding committee.

The Council of College Multicultural Leadership and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity hosted the event.

The 2019 Way Paver Award recipients are:

Community: Pastor Harold McKenzie of Unity Church

Standard-bearers: Michael Phillips, director of Penn State Admission Pittsburgh

Staff: Olivia Lewis, coordinator, Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement

Undergraduate Student: Awaly Diallo, African American Studies, Paterno Fellow, College of the Liberal Arts

Faculty: Wanda Knight, professor of art education, and women and gender studies

Graduate Student: Dorcas Vivian Nalubwama Kaweesa, mechanical engineering

University Administrator: Dean Dennis Shea, College of Health and Human Development