At the January large group meeting, UiC's first Lenzy R. Wallace, Jr. PhD Excellence Award was given to an individual and an organization who exemplified Lenzy's strength of character, his commitment to racial equity, justice for all, diversity and inclusion, and his support of UiC. Adrianne Baughns-Wallace, Lenzy's wife of 37 years, gave a beautiful speech before handing out the individual award to Michelle Goglia. Michelle is the facilitator of UiC's small group Heart2Heart, co-chair of UiC's Supporter Committee, and a member of UiC's Social Justice Committee. She received the award for her dedication and enthusiastic participation in all things Unity in Community! Former UiC President, Pam Jones, gave the organizational award to the Ada Jenkins Center. Leslie Wilson accepted the award on behalf of the Ada Jenkins Center, an organization that has been in the forefront of justice and racial equity throughout its history, and has been an active collaborator and partner of UiC since our beginning. Nominations were submitted by UiC supporters and reviewed by a selection committee which included UiC Board Members Sandra Hayes and Pam Jones, Just Us Small Group members Karen Lewis and Joe Papovich, and Adrianne Baughns-Wallace. |