Rutgers University recently presented its Human Dignity Awards to the faculty, students, and staff who best represent the university’s tradition of diversity. The recipients were active across a broad range of issues; some spoke up for those with no political voice, while others performed humanitarian and educational missions overseas.
The awards were presented April 21 during a ceremony at Winants Hall. Sponsored by the Committee to Advance our Common Purposes, the awards honor individuals or groups demonstrating extraordinary achievement and commitment to diversity, intercultural relations, and social justice at Rutgers and in the local community, state, and nation. The recipients (listed below) received a citation from Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick and the Committee to Advance our Common Purposes, as well as a $1,000 gift.
Marisol Conde-Hernandez: Hernandez is an undocumented immigrant who will graduate in May. She has been a public advocate for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009, a federal bill commonly known as the DREAM Act, and aimed at providing immigration relief to undocumented students. She has also advocated for and the In-State Tuition Bill, which would make undocumented immigrants eligible for tuition benefits at public colleges.
Engineers Without Borders-RU (Student Chapter of EWB-USA): Engineers Without Borders-RU has travelled to Thailand, Guatemala and Kenya to help improve the water quality. Their vision is to serve communities worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects.
Aaron Lee: Lee is a transgender student who has participated in education forums, training activities, and student activism to create awareness of LGBT concerns, especially transgender student concerns. Lee will be graduating in May with a double major in Evolutionary Anthropology and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Darren Clarke: Executive Director of Continuing Education and Global Programs, Clarke conceptualized and spearheaded the South Africa Initiative in 2001. The program, going strong for 10 years, connects educators in the United States and South Africa to bring educational gains for students and educators. Clarke will donate half of his gift to Rutgers football player, Eric LeGrand and the other half will be used for his project in South Africa.
Linda Bosniak: A professor at the Rutgers School of Law – Camden since 1992, Bosniak is one of the nation’s leading scholars of immigration and citizenship. She brought together students and faculty universitywide to deliberate these issues and more. Bosniak is also the author of The Citizen and the Alien: Dilemmas of Contemporary Membership.