WKU Presents Spirit Of WKU, Diversity Awards

August 22, 2008

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell presented the annual Spirit of WKU and diversity awards Friday morning at the faculty and staff convocation.

Mary Ellen Miller, English professor, received the seventh Spirit of WKU Award, which recognizes an individual who represents enthusiasm for WKU, loyalty to the institution and principles of the WKU experience and its motto “The Spirit Makes the Master.”

Miller has started numerous programs at WKU in the past 45 years including a Canadian Studies Program, the Robert Penn Warren Center and the Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing. She also has served two terms as faculty regent and is serving as interim director of the Women’s Studies Program.

Recipients of the eighth annual President’s Awards for Diversity were Dr. Saundra Ardrey, employee; Sean Taylor, student or organization; and Roberto Rodarte, community. Each recipient represents a clear demonstration of exemplary leadership and achievement in promoting diversity at WKU and the communities it serves.

Dr. Ardrey, head of the Department of Political Science, received the employee award for her work in numerous activities to promote diversity. She has helped to develop a learning community to enhance African American students’ success and retention at WKU; has been a speaker for Sister to Sister, a group for minority females; has served as a mentor for students; was the first woman and first African American to be elected Chief Executive Officer for the Kentucky Political Science Association; and takes students to places like the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Freedom Museum in Cincinnati and the presidential inauguration. She wasn’t able to attend Friday’s ceremony because she is in Denver with a group of students at the Democratic National Convention.

Taylor, a theatre major and political science minor, received the student award for his contributions to expand diversity at WKU. He has written several plays that address diversity issues, founded a theatre company dedicated to the portrayal of complex, dynamic and empowered contemporary African American characters, themes and writers; and formed a group at WKU for writers of all genres and styles to have a forum for feedback, encouragement and performance. Taylor is in New York City working with the Human Rights Campaign for an organization called the Fund for Public Interest Research.
 
Rodarte, an educator, mentor, coach and community volunteer, received the community award. At the Parker Bennett Center, Rodarte is responsible for the well- being of dozens of children from ages 5 to 18. He has served as chairman of the Bowling Green Human Rights Commission for three years, is a member of the City of Bowling Green’s Diversity Task Force and provides free translation services to many agencies within Bowling Green and Warren County.
               
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