USI honored with Champions of Diversity award

The University of Southern Indiana has been selected as one of 14 individuals, organizations and institutions recognized by Indiana Minority Business Magazine (IMBM) for its Champions of Diversity award. The award was presented January 16 at the 10th Annual Champions of Diversity Awards Dinner in Indianapolis.

USI was selected by the Champions of Diversity Nomination Committee, made up of both community and civic leaders. The award is given to individuals and institutions that have "shown tremendous effort in the areas of diversity and inclusion." USI's nomination was based on several criteria, including that President Linda L. M. Bennett is a woman and, by definition, a minority, as well as the University's strategic initiatives to increase diversity on its campus, including the University Council on Inclusion and recent efforts to attract more international students.

"Honoring such a deserving class of individuals and organizations over the years has been a true pleasure," said IMBM president Shannon Williams. "Every year I am amazed at the level of commitment to diversity and inclusion the awardees exhibit and 2015's ceremony will be no different. I couldn't think of a more fitting way to celebrate 10 years."

In addition to the University of Southern Indiana, the 2015 Champions of Diversity award recipients include:

• Cornerstone Center for the Arts
• Governor's Council for People with Disabilities
• Indianapolis Indians
• NCAA Office of Inclusion
• Richard Propes (Public Speaker, Quaker Minister, Advocate for the Disabled)
• Henry Jackson (Owner, Millennium Steel)
• Tom Snyder (President, Ivy Tech Community College)
• Terri Cope-Walton (News Director, WRTV 6)
• Joe Slash (Former CEO, Indianapolis Urban League
• Brenda Stallings (CEO, Matrix Integration)
• Karen Freeman Wilson (Mayor, Gary, Indiana)*Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award Recipient
• Shrewsberry & Associates *Martin Luther King Freedom Award Recipient
• John T. Thompson (CEO, Thompson Distributing) *William G. Mays Entrepreneur Award Recipient

Indiana Minority Business Magazine is a statewide publication that focuses on business, lifestyle and diversity. It is published by the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.