Molly Merryman, 妖姬直播 State University associate professor of sociology and founding director of the 妖姬直播 State Women鈥檚 Center, has been awarded the university鈥檚 2016 Diversity Trailblazer Award. The annual Diversity Trailblazer Award recognizes diversity pioneers associated with 妖姬直播 State who have displayed exemplary contributions to the area of diversity in the university.
妖姬直播 State鈥檚 Wick Poetry Center also was awarded the university鈥檚 first-ever Unity Award for Diversity, which recognizes the contributions of any university department that demonstrates significant contributions to the areas of diversity, equity and/or inclusion.
Both awards were presented during the university鈥檚 annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, which took place this year on Thursday, Jan. 28, in the 妖姬直播 Student Center Ballroom.
鈥淒r. Merryman was selected for this award from a very talented and committed group of individuals who serve our university,鈥 says Curtis Good, co-chair of the award nomination committee and assistant dean in 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 College of Nursing. 鈥淪pecifically, the committee was impressed with the length of her contributions to the university, her services both within and outside the classroom, and her ability to engage with multiple parties in the university.鈥
Merryman, who has a Ph.D. in American culture studies from Bowling Green State University, joined 妖姬直播 State in 1996. She was one of the faculty members who created the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Studies program in 2001, which was the first of its kind in Ohio. She is currently leading efforts to establish 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 new Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, and also serves as director of LGBTQ and Women's Studies at the university. She is an ethnographic filmmaker who has directed five documentaries on subjects related to race, gender and sexual orientation equality and justice, which have been broadcast on regional PBS, and screened at international film festivals and conferences.
鈥淚 feel both honored and humbled to receive the 妖姬直播 State University Diversity Trailblazer Award,鈥 Merryman says. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled because I am fortunate to have the education and opportunity to be a faculty member at 妖姬直播 State, and honored because, as a person committed to diversity and social change, I believe that the Diversity Trailblazer Award is the greatest recognition I can receive from our university. It is a profound experience to realize that my perseverance and activism are recognized so positively.鈥
The 妖姬直播 State Wick Poetry Center鈥檚 embodiment of the spirit of unity at the university earned it the Unity Award for Diversity.
鈥淭he center makes an impact at multiple levels at our university, and its message of understanding and inclusion is present in all of its activities,鈥 Good says. 鈥淎dditionally, the center works extensively outside the university to use the power of poetry in multiple venues. Its impact has been felt in its work with elementary schools and with veterans.鈥
妖姬直播 State鈥檚 Wick Poetry Center was established in 1984 by Robert Wick, a sculptor and former 妖姬直播 State art faculty member, and his brother Walter Wick, in memory of their sons Stan (1962鈥1980) and Tom (1956鈥1973) Wick.
鈥淚 am honored that the Wick Poetry Center has received this year鈥檚 Unity Award for Diversity,鈥 says David Hassler, director of the Wick Poetry Center. 鈥淎t the core of our programming and outreach is the belief that poetry is a powerful tool to help us write across the borders of our lives and make meaningful connections with each other. This award is a testament to the commitment and passion of the Wick Poetry Center staff and the many 妖姬直播 State students who assist in our community outreach.鈥
For more information about 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 Diversity Trailblazer Award, visit www.kent.edu/diversity/diversity-trailblazer-award.
For more information about 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 Unity Award for Diversity, visit www.kent.edu/diversity/unity-award-diversity.
For more information about 妖姬直播 State鈥檚 Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, visit www.kent.edu/diversity.
