Awards were presented to students, faculty, and staff who advocate for campus diversity.
In a vibrant spring ceremony, North Park’s Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life (ODIL) honored students, faculty, and staff for their ongoing commitment to promoting interculturalism on campus.
Director of ODIL Sharee Myricks and Vice President of Student Engagement Francisco Gaytán presented the top prize, the Honors Convocation Diversity Award, to Oluwatofunmi “Tofunmi” Akinlade, for her commitment to North Park’s intercultural identity and her record of academic excellence. Akinlade served as a member of North Park’s Lighthouse Scholar Program; a resident assistant; an intern in the Office of International Affairs; a representative for the Student Government Association and Threshold Orientation; and as a Compass mentor.
The ODIL Director’s Award was presented to North Park’s football coaching staff, led by Kyle Rooker, who Myricks praised for their “passionate work to increase the retention and graduation rates of BIPOC male students on the football team.”
ODIL’s Assistant Director Bree Yoo-Sun McLuen presented the Assistant Director’s Award to Naomi Vasciannie C’22, an employee of the office who is a first-generation, Jamaican American transfer student and recent grad with a degree in business administration.
“Naomi, you are a brilliant young woman, and as a woman of color in business, I’m incredibly inspired by you,” said Yoo-Sun McLuen. The Champion of Diversity Award, given to a faculty or staff member, was presented to Dr. Rebecca Ryan, interim dean of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre, who has helped implement both diversity and land acknowledgment statements that are widely used at the university.
Associate Professor in Art Maya Durham Rayner C’05 was selected for the Outstanding Intercultural Alumni Award. Durham Rayner partnered with the Black Student Union to host the Black Joy art exhibit to celebrate Black History Month in 2022.
At the end of the ceremony, Myricks presented several seniors with special graduation stoles, showcasing North Park’s commitment to interculturality and representing North Park’s many diversity clubs.