Council at USC Aiken honors groups for focus on diversity

USC Aiken's Inclusion Advisory Council announced its 2011 award winners at a recent banquet.

The student award went to Brandon Baskett and the Pacer Times student newspaper staff. Dr. Stacie Williams was named the faculty/staff winner, while Dr. Rosie Berry received the community partner award.

The awards were presented during a "Leading the Way" scholarship fundraiser event designed to support leadership programs for minority students at USCA. Funds raised from the event help support USCA's Compass Leadership and Minority Achievement programs at the university.

The Inclusion Advisory Council exists to provide guidance and support for the improvement of the University in areas of diversity, and each year a gala is held to recognize those who further this goal.

Baskett is a senior majoring in secondary education. During his time at USCA, he has been actively involved in the Minority Achievement Program and the Office of Intercultural Programs. The Pacer Times student newspaper staff members were also honored for their commitment to building and maintaining a diverse staff of individuals who make a conscious effort to be inclusive in each issue with their choices of stories and photos.

Williams is the director of USCA's Academic Success Center. She is considered a mentor by countless students. In her recent role as director of intercultural programs, she was responsible for the Minority Achievement and Compass Leadership Programs.

Berry, a North Augusta resident, has been a passionate and dedicated educator throughout her life serving as a teacher, principal and administrator in Aiken County public schools. She has received recognition for her achievements, including the national Milliken Education Award. She is also actively engaged in the community and has previously received the Distinguished Citizen Award from USCA.

Sponsors for this year's event included: Gold Level - The Chandler Law Firm, Savannah River Remediation LLC, and Shaw Areva MOX Services, LLC; Silver Level - Bridgestone; and Bronze Level - Rich and Evelyn Allen, AllStar Rents, LaLita Y. Ashley and Gary S. Reynolds, Phillip and Rosie Berry, Dee Crawford, Gail Diggs, Jeff and Ellen Priest, and Security Federal Bank.

The awards criteria includes a demonstrated commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion, leadership which fosters positive interaction between persons of different cultural backgrounds and consistent behavior which illustrates a commitment to the inclusion of persons within the institution who are members of traditionally underrepresented groups.