Three women will be honored April 8 as outstanding leaders at the annual University of Iowa Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women: Diane Finnerty, director of Faculty Human Resources and Development; Pamela Terrill, Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) coordinator; and Jo Hendrickson, professor and executive director of UI REACH.

The celebration will honor these three faculty/staff members, as well as six UI students, who have all demonstrated a dedication to scholarship, research, service, leadership, and activism.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place Wednesday, April 8, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Iowa Memorial Union Second Floor Ballroom. A reception will be held prior to the celebration at 3 p.m.

Carroll Reasoner, vice president for legal affairs and UI General Counsel, will give the keynote address. All portions of the program will be interpreted in American Sign Language.

Distinguished Achievement Award, Staff

The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding accomplishment or a lifetime record of service and achievement. This year, the committee has  the distinct privilege of recognizing the achievements of two exceptional women.

Diane Finnerty, who works in the UI Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, was nominated for her outstanding work to create a better environment for those from less dominant groups, including women, and the Latina/o, African-American, and LGBTQ communities.

In the last two decades, Finnerty has educated thousands of students, faculty, staff, and community members from across the state on a variety of diversity topics, designed to bring about equity and justice and create inclusive environments. Her efforts were recognized in 2014 when she received the Rick Graf Award from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission, and the David J. Skorton Staff Excellence Award in Service to the UI from the UI Staff Council.

“Diane’s career reflects not only a long list of singular accomplishments, but a consistent record of service on and off campus fueled by boundless generosity, passion for justice, administrative savvy, and belief in the transformative power of education,” says a nominator.

Pamela Terrill was nominated for her outstanding work in advocating for the provision of compassionate, comprehensive care of people who have been sexually assaulted. She has provided education to those who provide support and service in response to sexual assaults. A colleague said, “Her leadership, advocacy for women and victim’s rights, and a tireless dedication to development of professional health services for victims is absolutely unparalleled.”

According to a nominator, “Ms. Terrill’s dedication to this work is impressive and commendable. She is recognized across the state for her expertise in this area, is frequently consulted by others, and is beginning to be involved in national SANE groups.”

May Brodbeck Distinguished Achievement Award for Faculty

Jo Hendrickson, professor and executive director of UI REACH in the College of Education, was nominated for her expertise in the field of special education and for her positive impact on the postsecondary educational experience of individuals with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

Hendrickson has committed over 30 years of service to the field of special education. Her mentorship to others in the field, her educational work, and her advocacy for students with intellectual disabilities has provided an opportunity for those students to become independent and self-sufficient adults.

“The work she has contributed to the creation and organization of the UI REACH Program will long be the model for other universities across the globe interested in a similar mission,” says a nominator.

Student Achievements

Six students will be recognized with scholarships to honor their work and commitment to women’s issues, diversity, and social activism.

• Maddie Bro, from Ames, Iowa, an undergraduate student in gender, women’s, and sexuality studies and history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will receive the Adele Kimm Scholarship.
• Noaquia Callahan, from Long Beach, California, a doctoral candidate in history in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will receive the Jane A. Weiss Memorial Dissertation Scholarship.
• Rodnika Carter, from Hazel Crest, Illinois, an undergraduate African American studies major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has a pre-law designation, will receive the Wynonna G. Hubbard Scholarship.
• Sri Ponnada, from Montego Bay, Jamaica, an undergraduate computer science major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will receive the Margaret P. Benson Memorial Scholarship.
• Katherine Ryken, from Iowa City, Iowa, a medical student in the Carver College of Medicine, will receive the Margaret P. Benson Memorial Scholarship.
• Kayla Wheeler, from Euclid, Ohio, a dean’s graduate research fellow in religious studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will receive the Adah Johnson/Otilia Maria Fernandez Scholarship.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, call 319-384-3435 in advance.