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More than 70 Black faculty members and administrators from 51��Ʒ��Ƶ gathered at the National Aviary on Nov. 3 to honor the life and legacy of Larry E. Davis, to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) and to celebrate Black academic excellence at the 51��Ʒ��Ƶ during the inaugural Dr. Larry E. Davis Black Excellence in the Academy Awards.

“Black faculty are core to the academic mission of the institution,” said John Wallace, vice provost for faculty diversity and development and interim director of CRSP. “We want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate them and their achievements.”

Five faculty received awards for their scholarship and leadership at the event. Chancellor Patrick Gallagher was also present to congratulate the faculty and express his appreciation for their contributions to 51��Ʒ��Ƶ. Trina Shanks, the Harold R. Johnson Collegiate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and a former student of Davis’ delivered the keynote address.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Proclamation from Mayor Ed Gainey declaring Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, Dr. Larry E. Davis Day in the City of 51��Ʒ��Ƶsburgh. Davis was the former dean of 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s School of Social Work, the founding director of CRSP and a leader in the field of race and social justice studies. He died in 2021.

The inaugural award winners are:

• Emerging Scholar: Amanda Boston
• Excellence in Faculty Mentorship: Esa Matius Davis
• Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship: James P. Huguley
• Excellence in Leadership: Valerie Kinloch
• Academic Excellence: Sandra A. Murray