The University has established an award to honor individuals who have committed themselves to diversity and equity.
The award - named for former President John T. Casteen, III - will be given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the University's diversity and inclusion, said Marcus Martin, interim vice president and chief officer of Diversity and Equity.
"We would like for the recipient to have achieved a sustainable and quantifiable impact on diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of Virginia," Martin added.
Recipients of the John Casteen, III Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Award must be current University students, faculty or staff members.
The first recipient of the award is Casteen himself, who demonstrated a commitment to diversity and minority outreach throughout his time on Grounds, Martin said.
While dean of admissions from 1975-82, Casteen worked to increase the number of minority applicants to the University, Martin said. He then influenced the state's college desegregation efforts as the Virginia secretary of education from 1982-85. He did not return to the University until 1990, when he began his tenure as president. In 2003, Casteen established the creation of AccessUVA, a financial program that aims to extend financial aid opportunities to all lower-income, academically eligible students. Casteen also established the President's Commission on Diversity and Equity during his time in office.
The recipient of the award, who will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of University officials and community members, will be announced each spring.
-compiled by Radina Belberova
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