The University of Iowa Chief Diversity Office invites members of the UI campus and community to celebrate distinctive and innovative diversity contributions at the 16th annual Diversity Catalyst Award Reception.

The celebration will be Tuesday, April 28, with a reception at 3 p.m., followed by an awards program from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Second Floor Ballroom at the Iowa Memorial Union. It is free and open to the public and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided.

Dan Reed, vice president for research and economic development, will deliver the keynote address.

This year’s Diversity Catalyst Award recipients will also be honored.

Student award recipients are as follows:

• Tawanda Owens, Afro House Manager/Graduate Assistant, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, University of Iowa Graduate College

Faculty/Staff award recipients are as follows:

• Jennifer Blair, assistant director, Global Community Engagement, Undergraduate Programs, UI Tippie College of Business
• Robin Clark-Bennett, labor educator, University of Iowa Labor Center                                                             
• Malik S. Henfield, associate professor, Rehabilitation and Counselor Education, UI College of Education
• Jefri L. Palermo, development coordinator, University of Iowa School of Social Work

The Diversity Catalyst Award Reception will be held in conjunction with the Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis Jr., Achievement Awards, which are given to selected seniors from Iowa’s three public universities.

This award recognizes academic achievement, leadership in campus and community organizations, and potential for future career success. The Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis Jr., Achievement Awards recipients are the following:

• Alzuebeir Elsheikh, UI biomedical engineering major from Cedar Rapids 
• Tiffany Lam, Iowa State University (ISU) chemical engineering major with a music minor from Cedar Rapids
• Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz, UI accounting, business analytics and information systems major from Sioux City
• Hieu Nguyen, ISU finance, economics, and math major from Cottage Grove, Minnesota

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Chief Diversity Office, C215 Seashore Hall, in advance, at 319-353-2388 or at diversity@uiowa.edu.