GOLDEN, Colo., Jan. 20, 2015 –The President’s Committee on Diversity hosted an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast on Jan. 19 in the Student Center Ballrooms. The breakfast honors Mines community members who are exceptional in their appreciation for diversity and understanding of its value on campus. MLK Recognition Award recipients are nominated by members of the community and selected by the MLK Day Planning Committee. The following individuals were presented a plaque and a voucher for $500 to be used towards diversity-related professional development:

  • Rebecca Swanson, Applied Mathematics and Statistics Teaching Associate Professor, for her co-development of the Society of Women in Mathematics.
  • Nick Hamblin, Geology and Geological Engineering student, for his creation of the student chapter of oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
  • Robert Godinez, Civil Engineering graduate student, for his initiative to promote knowledge and interest in STEM.
  • Jessica Rolston, Liberal Arts and International Studies Assistant Professor, for her research on low income/first generation students.
Applied Mathematics & Statistics Teaching Associate Professor Rebecca Swanson

Geology & Geological Engineering student Nick Hamblin

Civil Engineering graduate student
Robert Godinez

Liberal Arts & International Studies Assistant Professor Jessica Rolston

View a list of previous recognition award recipients at diversity.mines.edu.

Rayvon Fouché, Associate Professor and Director of American Studies at Purdue University, delivered a keynote address on “Martin Luther King, Jr. and Our Technoscientific Future.” Fouché’s work explores the multiple intersections between cultural representation, racial identification and technological design. 

Later in the day, the Mines community attended a MLK Jr. Luncheon where Mary Elliott, Associate Director or Resident Life, and Brent Waller, Director of Residence Life and Housing, discussed the topic of biases. The group watched the TED Talk by Diversity advocate, Verna Myers, “How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them.”

DeltaDays, which traditionally falls during MLK week, is scheduled for March 16-20.

 

Contact:

Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator / 303-273-3088 / kmorton@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / kgilbert@mines.edu