Well-deserved honors

“You are doing more than overcoming. You are excelling.” That’s how one of the eight inductees into the UNH Diversity Hall of Fame last fall was lauded. Another recipient was complimented for his combination of grit and grace, and still another applauded for ensuring that those with the greatest needs no longer get the least amount of help.

Since 2007, the Diversity Hall of Fame has honored alumni for their work in furthering diversity and inclusion through their professional and personal accomplishments and for their commitments to social justice and equity at UNH and beyond. This year’s ceremony brought together eight inductees as well as their families, friends and faculty mentors for the dinner event in the MUB.

Nadine Petty, chief diversity officer for the university, shared that each of the inductees was a leading example for their fellow alumni, but also for the UNH community on campus. She also shared updates on the progress UNH is making in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

“Efforts are more successful when we all take responsibility for some portion of it. It takes a village to shift culture, and UNH has been a remarkable example of that village,” said Petty, who joined UNH in the summer of 2020. She detailed strides the university has made, including expanded academic offerings on topics like race and class in the media, queer studies and more, as well as educational programs for faculty and staff, such as the 21-Day Equity Challenge and campus resources such as the Beauregard Center. “We continue to be a work in progress; however, we have come a very long way in a very short period of time because of the efforts of people like you.”

This year’s event also included the Advocacy in Action awards, given to graduate students Shantel Palacio and Nathan Harris, Avary Thorne (coordinator, Women’s and Gender Studies program and Global Racial and Social Inequality Lab) and Sarah Leonard ’00 (early childhood teacher, Child Study and Development Center). Vituu Touch ’23 gave a student address. The chemistry major has been involved in the United Asian Coalition, MOS:DEF and CONNECT and has been a Beauregard Center staff member, an orientation leader and an RA.