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Cathy Couza presents Earl Bracey with the 2010 Cathy O'Neill Couza Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity.
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Bracey Receives 2010 Diversity Award

May 14, 2010

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MACOMB, IL -- A Western Illinois University administrator received the Western Illinois 2010 Cathy O'Neill Couza Award for Outstanding Leadership in Diversity (formerly called the Equal Opportunity and Access Director's Award) for his contributions to the University and the community at the 21st annual President's Excellence in Diversity Awards Reception held May 13.

The 2010 Outstanding Leadership in Diversity Award was presented to Earl Bracey, associate vice president for student services.

"Earl has been referred to as a 'great humanitarian' because of his genuine concern for helping to improve the welfare of people and for actively engaging in causes to do so. Not only has he provided outstanding leadership in diversity at WIU, but he has done so in the Macomb and surrounding communities as well," said Andrea Henderson, director of Equal Opportunity and Access at WIU. "He has been a voice for many groups, and he has lead or been part of many initiatives to support minorities, women, youth, the elderly, individuals from lower economic groups, individuals with disabilities and individuals from international backgrounds."

Bracey, who has been a member of the student services division at Western since 1979, was a charter member of the Macomb Quality of Life Committee; he has coordinated several programs for the Learning is Forever senior continuing education program series; and he has served as a speaker in the Macomb School District for numerous diversity-related programs. He has served as chair of the Housing Authority of McDonough County and was a member of the Macomb Park District Board, where he was a part of a sub-committee charged with the responsibility of assessing the services for people with special needs.

At Western, Bracey has worked with international students and faculty to help them acclimate to a new culture, and he recently he served as chair of the Multicultural Center Steering Committee.

In addition, WIU faculty and staff, students and a Western organization received Excellence in Diversity and Multicultural Leadership awards to recognize their special efforts to promote diversity and multiculturalism at WIU or in the community.

This year's recipients include:

Excellence in Service Award: United Voices of Western Inspirational Singers (UVOWIS).

Excellence in Education Award: Janice Welsch, English professor emeritus and co-director of WIU's Dealing with Difference Institute/Expanding Cultural Diversity Project; WIU's biology department.

WIU students receiving 2010 awards include:

Excellence in Leadership Student Award: Theoria Cason, a college student personnel graduate student from Macomb.

Excellence in Education Student Award: Michael A. Davis, a master's of business administration student from the 8000 block of California Avenue, Chicago.

University students and employees receiving 2010 Special Recognition for Diversity Efforts include:

Renee Simpson, human resources; Susan Stewart, WIU-Quad Cities management department; Zak Foste, a political science student from Chillicothe (IL); Candace Wilson, a sophomore pre-social work major from Lake Zurich (IL); Rosendo Garcia, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Rochelle (IL); Dan Lesch, a junior music major from Chebanse (IL); and Kristyn Lepek, a junior art major from Elmwood Park (IL).

According to Andrea Henderson, director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, the awards are designed to celebrate diversity and multicultural leadership efforts that have advanced Western's Strategic Plan – Higher Values in Higher Education, increased diversity and created a campus climate that welcomes and supports all individuals.

Awards are given based on the individual or unit's diverse multicultural activities, initiatives or goals and their implementation; how these activities increased awareness of, or sensitivity to, diversity and multiculturalism; and the results or benefits of this activity, program or service and how it goes above and beyond the everyday job responsibilities of the nominee.

This year's featured speaker was J.Q. Adams, professor of educational and interdisciplinary studies and co-director of WIU's Dealing with Difference Institute/Expanding Cultural Diversity Project.



Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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