Berkeleyan
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Charles Henry and Chancellor Robert Birgeneau (Ben Ailes photo) |
Charles Henry receives Chancellor’s Award
Professor of African American Studies receives kudo for advancing institutional excellence
| 04 June 2008
Charles Henry, professor of African American Studies, received the Chancellor’s Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence on Tuesday, April 29, at a ceremony at the Bancroft Hotel. The three-year-old award, initiated by Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, recognizes faculty members for outstanding contributions in research, teaching, and public service that promote diversity and equal opportunity.
Henry has been on the Berkeley faculty since 1981. For three years, between 1998 and 2001, he served as associate vice provost for faculty equity in the Office of the Chancellor. He also chaired the African American Studies department from 2000-02.
Wrote David Stark, director of Stiles Hall, in his nomination of Henry: “We have known few individuals more dedicated on a day-in and day-out basis to equal opportunity and the representation of those who have been left out. Charles has done this work tirelessly and with great humility and tenacity.”
Ula Taylor, chair and associate professor of African American studies, added, “I have known Professor Henry for 15 years and am totally amazed by his unflinching commitment to diversifying the student body and faculty at Berkeley.”
In his remarks at the awards ceremony, Chancellor Birgeneau said Henry “has masterfully blended high levels of achievement in research, teaching, and service that contribute to advancing diversity. He instantiates the university’s commitment for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world.”
Henry will receive $30,000, which will be placed into a departmental account to be used at his discretion to continue his work to advance diversity.
Five finalists were also honored at the ceremony: Meg Conkey, professor of anthropology; Neil Henry, associate professor and dean of the Graduate School of Journalism; Denise Herd, associate professor of public health; Trinh Minh-ha, professor of rhetoric and gender and women’s studies; and Mark Richards, dean of physical sciences in the College of Letters and Sciences and professor of earth and planetary science.