Social Justice a Theme at 2010 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment

By Leila Ugincius

This year, the winners of the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment were motivated by far more than a desire to promote diversity. In his or her own way, each of the recipients has been striving for social justice and change during the past year.

Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., praised each of the recipients’ efforts to both bring about social change and unify the community.

“We honor individual achievement, we admire individual talent, we rejoice in individual success. But what are we as a community?” he asked. “Here at VCU we have a tremendous chance to contribute.

“We know we can make it better if we try. I’m looking at a room of people who try. You try every day. … Your efforts are very important because what you do ripples outward, beyond our campus.”

Rao and Beverly J. Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., FACSM, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, presented the annual PACME awards during a ceremony on April 6, in the University Student Commons.

The PACMEs recognize university and health system members who have contributed significantly to multicultural relations and diversity. Each year a PACME — and $500 — is awarded to an individual or organization in each of four groups: faculty, administrators, staff and students. In addition, one recipient earns the Riese-Melton Award, a capstone award that includes an additional $250.

Suzanne Barbour, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the VCU School of Medicine, won this year’s faculty award. While at VCU, Barbour has endeavored to build a bridge between students and mentors. As director of the research core of the VCU Center on Health Disparities, she has taken a special interest in helping develop the research interests of underrepresented minority students.

In accepting the award, Barbour said she was merely the “tip of the iceberg” among a talented group of people affiliated with the Center on Health Disparities. “There’s a huge group of people who are interested,” she said. “I represent a very compassionate and talented group of people and I accept this award on their behalf.”

The winner of the administrator award, Joseph Lyons, is seen as a father figure among the students he mentors at the University Career Center. So it was fitting that when accepting his award, he thanked his own father for financing his education and instilling in him the values of hard work and stability.

“I am sincerely humbled because I consider it a privilege — I consider it an opportunity — to come to work every day and make a difference,” said Lyons, assistant director of the Career Center.

Rachel Kopelovich, education support specialist with the Division of Community Engagement, won the staff award. Kopelovich recently also won the Burnside-Watstein LGBT Award for making a significant difference in the lives of LGBT faculty, staff and students.

“It’s a privilege to work for a place where I can do what I love and also work toward a goal of social justice,” Kopelovich said.

Vreni Michelini, an undergraduate painting and printmaking student in the School of the Arts, won both the student award and the capstone Riese-Melton Award.

“Vreni’s efforts are a tremendous model for other VCU students to follow,” Rao said.

While at VCU, Michelini, a dean’s list student, has fought for the rights of immigrants, African-American and Hispanic prisoners and underprivileged children.

“I’m honored to be here with these wonderful people who work for social justice,” Michelini said. “I’m thankful to be here and honored to have this award.

VCU President Emeritus Eugene P. Trani created the PACMEs in 1994 to recognize and encourage those who promote civility, build community, establish effective cross-cultural initiatives, advocate for equity and nurture openness and inclusion within the university community.