USU honors Diversity Award winners

Utah State University President Stan Albrecht recognized and honored the winners of the 16th Annual Utah State University Diversity Awards at a luncheon held in their honor April 9 at the Haight Alumni Center at USU.

Mary Doty, John Lackstrom, Kate Stephens, Krista Bustamante and Cleal Bradford were honored. The awards recognize individuals on campus and in communities served by USU who have made significant contributions to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity.

Mary Doty was honored posthumously with the Administrator Award. On the USU campus, prior to her tragic death in August 2009, she actively worked with the Multicultural Student Services, International Students and Scholars, Disability Resource Center, Women’s and Reentry Student Center and GLBTA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allied) Services to make sure the Counseling Center was responsive to the needs of all students.

John Lackstrom, professor of linguistics and Spanish in the department of languages, philosophy and speech communication, College of HASS, received the Faculty Award. In the late 1990s, Lackstrom, along with Al Smith, another language faculty member, developed the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program, using the slogan “Build Understanding.”

Kate Stephens, Utah Conservation Corps assistant director, received the Staff Award. The UCC is dedicated to improving public lands and the communities that surround them through partnership projects, education and service.

Krista Bustamante is an undergraduate student with a dual major in political science and Spanish and is currently the ASUSU (Associated Student of Utah State University) diversity and organizations vice president. She is the recipient of the Student Award, presented for her many efforts prior to being elected to her current ASUSU position.

Cleal Zemire Bradford is the diversity award recipient in the Community category. His life-long passion has been to preserve diverse cultural resources in southeast Utah, develop educational opportunities for Native Americans and empower Native communities to shape their own political, social and economic destinies.