Melva Ware Honored With Redding Diversity Award
The Louis Lorenzo Redding Diversity Award was created to recognize University of Delaware individuals or units whose efforts have promoted, enhanced, and implemented diversity programs or activities which have resulted in a significant change in the campus climate and composition within the University community. On March 18, 2010, in the Trabant University Center, University of Delaware President Patrick Harker presented Melva Ware with this prestigious award.
"Dr. Ware's work has changed both, climate and composition," Harker said. "But, essentially, her work is about something even more fundamental. She changes lives."
Ware serves as the director of the Academic Support Program Inspiring Renaissance Educators (ASPIRE) program housed in the Delaware Center for Teacher Education (DCTE). Commission members cited Ware’s involvement in various initiatives as having an important impact at UD, but also on the community of Delaware, especially on minority students and those with low-income.
"Professor Ware, on behalf of all those who have been inspired by you, mentored by you, helped by you...for all those in college because of you and those who one day will be, I offer you my sincere gratitude," said Harker.
Ware has helped revitalize the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE supports access for members of underrepresented groups to UD degree programs, with an emphasis on preparing students for careers as teachers and educators. Ware has also worked closely with middle and high school students and teachers, she has developed partnerships with local schools, worked with Gear-UP, CARE and AVID, and collaborated with UD’s School of Education.
"The world only makes sense in the community. The human spirit is ignited or extinguished there," Ware said. "So, it is right to connect the work of our college and its programs to ignite without question the best in all of us. Thank you very much for this award. I accept this on behalf of those who made it possible."
The Redding Diversity award consists of a plaque and a $1,000 gift to the Morris Library in the recipient's honor.
Article by: Cassandra Kramer
Photo by: Evan Krape
