February 15, 2024
SIU System ADEI award to honor trailblazing justice advocate
The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees on Feb. 8 renamed the system’s ADEI lifetime achievement award to honor Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese, the system’s former director of diversity initiatives. The nomination deadline for this year’s award is March 15.
The Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes staff and faculty members for their efforts in creating, sustaining and expanding antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The recognition is for staff and faculty members whose careers include generally 20 years or more of documented service and advocacy in ADEI initiatives that result in greater justice and belonging for all in the SIU community.
McNeese was the founder of the SIU School of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Multicultural and Minority Affairs in 2001 and was named inaugural associate dean of the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in 2016. As a justice advocate, he went on to lead the entire SIU System as the executive director for diversity initiatives. He died in September 2023 at 75.
Information on award criteria, eligibility, nomination guidelines and selection criteria is available on the SIU System ADEI webpage.
Recipients will receive an ADEI lifetime achievement award plaque and $1,500. The award will be presented at the April 11 SIU Board of Trustees meeting in Carbondale.
For more information, contact Sheila Caldwell, SIU System vice president for antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion, at sheila.caldwell@siu.edu or Doris Williams, ADEI project coordinator, at doris.williams@siu.edu.