Awards

Call for Nominations: 2020 Lillian H. Williams Award

The Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) invites nominees for the 2020 Lillian H. Williams Award. This annual award is named in honor of Lillian H. Williams, the founding director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. This award was established in 1986 to recognize individuals and units within the University community who exemplify Ms. William’s spirit and commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action. Please provide a one-page nomination of an individual or unit for this important award to EOAA by email (eoaa@umn.edu) by September 18, 2020. The staff of the EOAA Office will review the nominations and select an award recipient.

Each year, EOAA pays tribute to its founding director Lillian H. Williams by honoring University members who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, equity and diversity.

Ms. Williams served as EOAA director from 1972 until her death in 1984. She developed a national presence as one of the founding organizers of the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA). She has been described as a “natural negotiator, creative strategist, and idealistic, yet pragmatic agent for change.”

The Lillian H. Williams Award was established in 1986 to recognize individuals and units within the University community who exemplify Ms. William’s spirit and commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action.

2019 Award Winner

Dr. Noro Andriamanalina - The Graduate School

2018 Award Winners

Amy Barton, Career Services - College of Liberal Arts

One Stop Student Services

Past Winners


2017	Diversity Committee	Department of Sociology
2016	Laura Negrini; Diversity Committee	Office of Human Resources; College of Design
2015	Student Services Unit	College of Education and Human Development
2014	Jon Gottesman, Ph.D; TRIO Programs	College of Biological Sciences & Medical School; College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences
2013	Karl Lorenz	Office for Diversity and Inclusion; College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences
2012	Naty Lopez, Ph.D; Dr. JB Mayo Jr.	Assistant Dean, School of Dentistry; Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction
2009	Juan Moreno; CUHCC	Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, University of Minnesota Extension; Community-University Health Care Center
2007	John A. Felipe	Assistant Director, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action
2005	Marilyn D. Trettel	Administrative Director, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action
2004	Nancy C. Arneson	Director, Human Resources Academic Health Center
2002	OMA Staff	Office of Multicultural Affairs
2001	Sharon Grimes	Communications, University Relations
2000	Ella Fort (In memory of); Mary Tate; Denis Larson; Saundra A. Martell	Office of Human Resources; Medical School; Purchasing, Facilities Management; Office of General Counsel
1999	Jane E. Thomas	Small Business Coordinator, Purchasing Services
1998	Deborah Petersen-Perlman	Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, University of Minnesota Duluth
1996	Cathleen Brannen	Vice Chancellor for Finance, University of Minnesota Morris
1995	Patricia A. Mullen	Director, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action
1994	Kenneth White	Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action
1993	Judith A. Gaston; Judith A. Karon	Continuing Education and Extension; Equal Opportunity/ Human Resources, University of Minnesota Duluth
1992	Marjorie K. Cowmeadow; Barbara J. Doyle	General College; University Libraries
1991	Charles E. Williams	Minnesota Extension Service
1989	Keith N. McFarland	Acting Dean, General College / Dean, College of Human Ecology
1988	Betty Wallace Robinett; William C. Thomas	Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs; Personnel, Physical Plant
1986	Ruth Robinson; Gordon Beavers	College of Education; Institute of Technology