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Commission for Blacks Awards

Hardy Liston Jr. Symbol of Hope Award

2023 Awardee: Carmanelette Rawls

The award recognizes outstanding, pro-active contributions of faculty and staff members who serve the campus community and promote diversity & inclusion at UT. The recipient openly expresses his/her beliefs in a diverse university community and has made consistent contributions on issues of diversity and inclusion. The recipient has demonstrated a commitment to the development of individuals in our community through cultivating and enriching the human mind and spirit. The recipient is actively involved in the UT community. Examples may include: membership in organizations that promote diversity, planning/sponsoring campus or community wide programs dealing with issues of diversity, multiculturalism and/or appreciation of difference, etc.

Anyone who has received the award in the preceding five years is ineligible for consideration.

What to include in the nomination:

A current biographical sketch of the nominee is requested along with the nomination letter. The nomination statement should adequately reflect specific contributions and beliefs. This statement will be the primary basis for consideration for the award and should be thorough and precise.

Criteria:

  • Faculty nominees must have been employed by UT for a minimum of 3 years. Exempt and non-exempt staff nominees must have been employed by UT for a minimum of 3 years.
  • The nominee must openly express his/her beliefs in a diverse university community and has made consistent contributions on issues of diversity and inclusion.
  • The nominee must be actively involved within organizations that promote and educate about diversity and inclusion.

The honoree will be selected by Commission for Blacks members.

Gene Mitchell Gray Pioneer Award

2023 Awardee: Miranda Rutan

This award recognizes the outstanding, pro-active contributions of students who serve the campus community and promote diversity and inclusion. The recipient will have demonstrated service, leadership, social advocacy, and/or a commitment to the spirit of cultural enrichment and the appreciation of differences on campus.

Anyone who has received the award in the preceding five years is ineligible for consideration.

What to include in the nomination:

A current biographical sketch of the nominee is requested along with the nomination  letter. Please do not send resumes. The nomination statement should adequately reflect specific contributions and beliefs. This statement will be the primary basis for consideration for the award and should be thorough and precise.

Criteria:

  • The nominee must be currently enrolled as a full-time UT Knoxville student.
  • The nominee must be in good standing, in both academics and student conduct.
  • The nominee must be openly pro-active in his/her beliefs in a diverse & inclusive university community.
  • The nominee must be actively involved within the UT community, including participating in an organization/group that promotes diversity.

The honoree will be selected by Commission for Blacks members.

African American Hall of Fame Award

In 1994, the University of Tennessee celebrated its Bicentennial. As a part of the celebration, on October 1, 1994, the University unveiled the African-American Hall of Fame Award. The Hall of Fame, housed in the Black Cultural Center, recognizes African-Americans who have made profound contributions to African Americans at University of Tennessee (“UT”). The award is intended to acknowledge those who are among the “firsts” at UT and have made a significant impact. The Hall of Fame Award is given every five years. UT’s Commission for Blacks and the Office of Multicultural Student Life jointly coordinate the award.

Criteria:

The award is open to administrators, faculty and staff. Applicants must demonstrate the following criteria to be considered for the award:

  • Contributing to years of demonstrated service at the UT;
  • Having a significant impact on issues of diversity and inclusion at UT;
  • Demonstrating impact in scholarship and professional development in their respective fields;
  • Playing a significant leadership role in the advancement of issues related to African Americans in general, at UT, and in the surrounding community and state;
  • Being a driving force behind providing resources for African American students, faculty and staff at UT.

It is our hope that such achievements will serve as an inspiration to all populations that each person can make a contribution through dedication, persistence and the pursuit of excellence.

Application Process:

The Hall of Fame Award Committee shall include a designee from Multicultural Student life, Chair for Commission for Blacks and chair of the Commission for Black’s Awards Committee. The Commission for Blacks at UT will solicit nominations from UT administrators, faculty, staff and students in general. Nominations forms will be made available on the Commission for Blacks website and distributed through our email listserv. For the given year, if there are no deserving nominees submitted (or lack of nominees for the nomination period), then no award will be given at that time. The Awards Committee with the Commission for Blacks will bring forth the nominee for the general body of voting members to vote on the award. The Award will be presented at the Chancellor’s Honors banquet in the spring of the academic year. The recipient will also be honored at the Hall of Fame Induction.