diversity awards Recipients, program details

The Office of Student Diversity Programs at Youngstown State University and the Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home co-sponsored the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Breakfast on Thursday in Kilcawley Center. Diversity awards were presented by Dr. Alison Harmon and Dr. Cryshanna Jackson presented the awards.

Undergraduate achievement: Mark Jones, leadership with Student African-American Brotherhood; Derek Dowdell, freshman engineering student; and Dana Vlock, tutoring Youngstown Early College student and honor student.

Graduate achievement: Barb Varga, caring and compassion for others; Monica Jones, academic achievement and mentoring and parenting; and Steve Ampah, promotion of African-American student unity.

Mentor recognition: Dr. Jeffrey Tyus, vice president of Black Faculty and Staff Association; Sonja Williams, advocacy of YEC; and TaRee-Glenn-Avery, role model and success story.

Student diversity: Sumedha Sethi, promotion of International Indian Student Association; Maria Montanez, promotion of Hispanic student engagement; and Jennifer Edwards, academic excellence.

Distinguished service: Genia Herns, community service; Zina McKinney, promotion and diversity and service; and Brenda Scarborough, community engagement.

Community service: Patricia Matthews-Wanat, diversity advocacy; P.R.O.M.I.S.E, creativity in diversity programming; and Meysha Harville, community volunteer and tutor.

Humanitarian: Joel Imler, heroic life-saving actions.

Lifetime achievement award: The Rev. Dr. Morris Lee, pastor of Third Baptist Church in Youngstown, for leadership and service to the Youngstown community.

Program participants: Dr. David C. Sweet, Wilson Okello, Mason Shattuck, Sterling A. Williams, Ana Bobby, YSU Gospel Choir, Carrington Moore, TaRee Glenn-Avery and Kellie Marrett.