From left: Dean Alan Grant, Randy Grayson, Nikki Lewis, and Susan Rosebrough
Last month, the College Diversity Council recognized three people for their commitment to diversity and their efforts to promote it.
“We are extremely grateful for the work these individuals have done over the years to ensure our college is reflection of our larger community,” said Dean Alan Grant, who is a member of the Diversity Council. “This diversity and inclusion helps us all gain a deeper understanding of our world.”
Stephanie “Nikki” Lewis, a genetics, bioinformatics and computational biology student received the Dr. Randolph Grayson Student Diversity Enhancement Award, which was renamed this year after students continually cited the encouragement and support Grayson has given them over the years. She is the preeminent diversity point-of-contact on campus for her department as the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development doctoral scholar.
Grayson, a professor emeritus of plant pathology, physiology, and weed science and the program coordinator for the George Washington Carver Program, received the faculty award. He has made a lifelong priority of ensuring that the Virginia Tech community benefits from including students from myriad backgrounds.
Susan Rosebrough, who won the staff award, is the academic programs coordinator for the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. She was recently appointed to serve as an at-large member on the University Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity and is also a Virginia Tech Safe Zone member.
The award included a letter of commendation, a plaque and an award of $500.