Rachel Leone
The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities is gearing up for its 20th annual Awards and Appreciation Reception. The reception is scheduled for Friday April 23rd at the Clara Bell Smith Academic Center Auditorium from 2-4pm. RCPD will take this time to recognize student and staff achievements and excellence despite disability. The reception also acknowledges campus and community partners who promote and advance the MSU tradition of opportunity for persons with disabilities.
RCPD is asking for your participation in this event in several ways:
- Nominate a professor, secretary, advisor, another student, or yourself for an award using the online nomination system (See descriptions below of the awards that will be presented)
- Apply for a scholarship ! Scholarships are available for up to $3,000 and there are opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students.
- Mark your calendar and plan to join us on April 23rd for what is always a rewarding and exciting experience.
RCPD awards presented at the reception will include:
The Dorothy Millbrook Award which recognizes an MSU employee whose dedication towards the advancement of persons with disabilities exemplifies the spirit of Dorothy Millbrook, a former department receptionist/secretary who went above and beyond to assist students with disabilities.
The James B. Hamilton Award is the highest RCPD tribute for an outstanding MSU faculty/staff or administrative leader for developing an environment of opportunity and excellence. James B. Hamilton (Assistant Provost) was instrumental in establishing the department then known as the Office of Programs for Handicapper Students in 1972. He realized the capacity for greatness in people despite disability and hired Judy Taylor as the first Director of the office. Toward the end of his career, he became a person with a disability as a result of ALS and persisted as a great academic leader despite his changing physical condition.
The Judy K. Gentile Award recognizes outstanding leadership in developing a spirit of ability to succeed and promoting programmatic accessibility for persons with disabilities. Judy was one of the first student wheelchair users on campus and she fought for campus wide accessibility for all students with disabilities. As the first Director of the then Office of Programs for Handicapper Students, Judy led the unit to become a model of excellence in academic and student services until her death in 1993.
The Marge Chmielewski Volunteer Award is in recognition of volunteers who generously give their time and effort for the benefit of persons with disabilities. Marge was the Director of the RCPD from 1994-1999. Traditionally this award has been a gift certificate for the MSU Dairy Store-one of Marge's favorite places on campus.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award recognizes an RCPD graduate who is successful in his/her field and continues to represent the abilities of those in the disability community. This individual is a model of success for others with or without disabilities and demonstrates that disabilities need not limit achievement.
The Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award recognizes outstanding contributions to equal opportunity for achievement and an environment of excellence. Faculty and staff receiving this award are generally nominated by students with disabilities who have identified that person as one who maximizes opportunities for academic or extracurricular achievement.
The RCPD Award is in recognition of a student/students who display the following traits: Resourcefulness, Commitment, Perseverance, and Dedication.
The Student Leadership Award recognizes a student/students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities and the broader campus community.