Courtesy of Rochester.edu
The Teen Health and Success Partnership (THSP) and professor of biochemistry and biophysics Lynne Maquat, were honored as the 2013 Presidential Diversity Award recipients on Thursday, Jan. 17.
The recipients and additional nominees were recognized at a reception with UR president Joel Seligman and other University leaders at the Witmer House.
Seligman said in a statement that “he is delighted that the Presidential Diversity Awards recognize individuals who make a difference in strengthening our national commitment to greater opportunity and respect for all those who live among us.”
Both winners were chosen for their commitment to helping under-represented minority students achieve their academic goals.
Headed by director Suzanne Piotrowski, THSP creates employment opportunities at UR for urban high schoolers who are at risk of dropping out.
Maquat was honored for her work with the UR Graduate Women in Science initiative, which provides mentoring for amateur female scientists.
According to Seligman, the purpose of the awards is to recognize faculty, staff, students, units, departments, or teams that “demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion through recruitment and retention efforts, teaching, research, multicultural programming, cultural competency, community outreach activities, or other initiatives.”
This year’s winners were chosen from among eight nominees who were recommended by their respective departments and colleagues.
The Presidential Diversity award, which was created in 2009, includes a $2,500 prize.
Individual award winners receive half of the money and designate the other half to support the budget of a program or department of their choice.
Team award winners also have the option to designate the entire $2,500 prize to the program or department of their choice.
Teitelman is a member of the class of 2016.
