Diversity Awards Description

Diversity Service Award

The Diversity Service Awards acknowledge and honor the efforts of students, faculty and staff who strive to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity in its multitude of forms at Texas A&M University. Individual Diversity Service Award recipients will each receive a $300 cash reward and framed certificate. Team Diversity Service Award recipients will each receive a framed certificate.

Award Categories

• Student – any currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student
• Staff – must be budgeted at least 50% time
• Faculty – personnel holding faculty titles
• Student Organization – any currently recognized student organization
• Team - any university sponsored group made up of students, faculty, and/or staff (i.e. a committee or task force)

The criteria for evaluating nominations will be as follows and should serve as a guide to prepare the nomination.

• Nominees have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the value of diversity.
• Nominees have demonstrated outstanding efforts to promote an environment free from bias and discrimination.
• Nominees have worked to provide students, faculty, and staff a university experience rich in perspectives and opportunities to learn from each other

Specific examples should be included in the nomination and may include initiatives/programs that have become a vital component to improving the campus climate, establishing and maintaining employment faculty and staff from underrepresented groups, recruiting and retaining students from underrepresented groups, establishing mentoring programs, etc. 

Gary Gray Memorial Award sponsored by the Department of Disability Services

This award recognizes a student or student group who exhibits activities and/or behavior that supports the inclusion of students with disabilities in all aspects of campus life. Gary Gray, an Aggie, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, in May of 1983. As a student with a physical disability, Gary consistently challenged the University to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities so that every student could have an equal “Aggie experience.” This award, established in 1994, is named in Gary’s honor and acknowledges the efforts of students who support their fellow Aggies in everyday life on campus. Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and a cash reward.

Partners in Learning Award of Excellence sponsored by the Department of Disability Services

The term “Partners in Learning” illustrates the role that staff, faculty, and administrators can play in educating the university community on issues that often face students with disabilities. This award was established in 1994 to recognize individuals within the university community who go above and beyond to provide an inclusive academic experience for students with disabilities. The recipient(s) promotes diversity by enriching the collegiate experience for students with disabilities. Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and a cash reward. 

Rainbow Award sponsored by Aggie Allies

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to diversity by serving as a role model and by contributing to the education of the Texas A&M University community regarding Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) people and issues. Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque.

The Phyllis R. Frye Advocacy Award

To be awarded to an individual or organization who has shown great leadership in the advancement of GLBTI (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Intersex) civil rights at the infrastructural and/or interpersonal level. Such individuals or organizations would be shining examples of those who negotiate at the front lines for GLBTI rights here locally and beyond the Brazos Valley.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be submitted by any member of the University community (co-worker, supervisor, adviser, dean or department head, student).

Nominations must be submitted online and may include a statement from the nominator as well as two additional statements of support. Statements of support should be uploaded to the nomination form.

Nomination statements, including specific examples, should describe the nominee’s accomplishments promoting understanding and appreciation of diversity at Texas A&M University. For faculty and staff nominees, greater consideration will be given to those individuals whose accomplishments are above and beyond standard job responsibilities.

Selection Process

Review and selection of the Diversity Service Awards will be made by an anonymous committee appointed by the Director of Multicultural Services.