Profiles
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents, a program of the Memorial Union is a pictorial mosaic of individuals who have contributed to the multiculturalism of the NDSU community and who have also promoted multiculturalism locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The program was started in the 1993/1994 academic year. Since its inception, 100 faculty, staff, students and alumni have been inducted into the program. This past year, Dr. Ann Burnett, Justin Kutzer, Dr. Anna Grazul-Bliska, Carol Johnson, Penny Aipperspach and Agnes Ngalelyonga were inducted into the program.
The induction ceremonies for the 2006-07 year will take place on Friday, December 7th, at noon in the Memorial Union; and on Friday, May 4th at noon in the Memorial Union.
Dr. Ann Burnett
Ann is the Director of the Department of Women's Studies at NDSU and an instructor in the Communication Department. She is involved in the Laurie Loveland speaker series, Take Back the Night, Women in Action, the President's Diversity Council, and an abundance of other organizations. The students who nominated her spoke highly of her ability to connect with students on a personal level. She has been praised for infusing students with the passion to follow their dreams, and she has and continues to support their endeavors.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Joshua Boschee was inducted into The Tapestry in December 2005.
Justin Kutzer
Justin is a senior majoring in Business. He has been instrumental in creating programs for the GLBTQ community within NDSU and the greater F-M area. He also serves as a board member for the People Escaping Poverty Project. The individuals who nominated him felt strongly that he is an inspiring resource to students and staff who want to implement and improve society, and that his commitment to diversity underscores everything he does.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes student, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Febina Mathew and Prshanth Balakrishnan were inducted into The Tapestry in December 2005.
Dr. Anna Grazul-Bliska
Anna is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences. She engages with students involved in the McNair Scholar's Program, various mentoring engagements, and is a founding member of the Women in Science, Math, Engineering and Technology (WISMET) organization in addition to a multitude of other services to the NDSU community. Her nominators spoke of her ability provide inspiration and support for women in the field of science, her commitment to further develop diversity on campus, and her innate ability to connect with individuals outside of the University while presenting research.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Dr. Christi McGeorge was inducted into The Tapestry in December 2005.
Carol Johnson
Carol is the Administrative Assistant in the Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials. She actively engages with students within the department who represent a multitude of countries around the world. She applies her humanity as a counselor, mentor, teacher, friend and surrogate parent regardless of the background of the person in need. Her nominators felt strongly that she has been able to touch student by going out of her way to ensure that all students feel welcomed and appreciated.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Dr. Kathleen Slobin was inducted into The Tapestry in May 2006.
Penny Aipperspach
Penny is the Coordinator of Cooperative Education in the Career Center. She has participated in the Sisterhood Circle, Community of Color Town Hall Panel, is a Safe Zone Ally, and has gone through the TOCAR training. Her nominators spoke highly of her ability to reach out to students and offer them support when needed. She has left an impression on many students by going out of her way to assist them with processes associated with the Career Center. She has also given campus organization direction and support when they needed it most.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Dr. Kathleen Slobin was inducted into The Tapestry in May 2006.
Agnes Ngalelyonga
Agnes is a doctoral student in the Education Doctorate Program. She serves on the Vice President's Advisory Board where she was a champion for international and multicultural students on the NDSU campus. She is also a member of the College of Human Development and Education Graduate Student Advisory Council, among numerous other organizations. Her nominators say that she is involved with both on- and off-camus activities that positively affect the greater F-M community.They have witnessed her journey toward passions like women's leadership and diversity. She continues to positively impact all who she encounters.
The Tapestry of Diverse Talents recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni for the diversity and contributions they bring to North Dakota State University. Dr. Kathleen Slobin was inducted into The Tapestry in May 2006.
Previous Tapestry of Diversity Inductees
1993-1994 1994-1995 |
1995-1996 1997-1998 |
1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 |
2004-2005 2006-2007 |