Shaping Tomorrow Today: Bucknell Celebrates Inclusion Advocates

On Thursday, April 18, members of the Bucknell community gathered to celebrate the achievements of those honored with the Bucknell Inclusive Excellence Awards, the Burma-Bucknell Award, the Virginia Travis Lectureship in Social Justice Award, and the Gregory E. Wright Award. These accolades recognize individuals and groups on campus who work to bridge divides, challenge stereotypes and cultivate a sense of belonging. Whether it's through innovative programs, impactful research or dedicated advocacy, the following recipients have made meaningful contributions to their peers and the overall campus environment.

"Our goal isn't only to acknowledge the award recipients' contributions," says Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, Bucknell's vice president of equity and inclusive excellence. "We are also hoping to inspire others on campus to join in our efforts. Together, we can create a campus culture where inclusion isn't just a goal but a reality."

Bucknell Inclusive Excellence Awards

These annual awards are designed to recognize those who make significant contributions to Bucknell University's efforts to build and nurture an inclusive campus community that embraces and respects diversity in all its forms.

Student recipient: Endia Scales '26, education

Scales was recognized for her campus leadership and advocacy, particularly in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. As a residential adviser, Scales cultivated an inclusive and supportive living environment for her peers within residence halls, ensuring that every student felt valued, heard and respected. She took the initiative to establish a dedicated residential space for Black students, helping to ensure that the campus culture fostered a sense of understanding and acceptance.

Marcus Scales, director of multicultural student services; Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, vice president of equity & inclusive excellence; Endia Scales '24, award recipient; and Denelle Brown, associate dean of students, diversity & inclusion. Photo by Devin Whalen '22, M'24

Staff recipient: Jessica Cowden, interlibrary loan specialist

Since 2022, Cowden has spearheaded initiatives to enhance accessibility and disability services at the library. She proposed and developed a new webpage focused on these services, drawing on industry research and input from colleagues. Cowden also contributed to the creation of a detailed library map, improving navigation for all users. These efforts promote campus diversity and inclusion by ensuring that students, faculty and staff with disabilities feel welcome and supported in using library resources. Additionally, Cowden is actively involved in a collaborative group dedicated to improving accessibility across campus and creating equitable education experiences for individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, she has joined the library's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, where she is involved in initiatives such as creating sensory-friendly study rooms and diversifying room names to honor a wider range of artists and figures.

Faculty recipient: Professor Gulay Guzel, markets, innovation & design

Guzel’s nominators said that she is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion through her research, teaching and service endeavors. Her research focuses on exploring the role of social media in fostering a sense of belonging, which she integrates into her classroom instruction and service activities. In Spring 2023, Guzel represented the Freeman College of Management at the inaugural Business School Diversity Equity and Inclusion Collaborative Conference in Knoxville, Tenn. During the conference, she was invited to participate in a national diversity case competition for North American business schools.

Faculty recipient: Professor Nicholas Brady, critical Black studies

Brady was praised by a nominator as an exceptional educator and mentor, known for his compassionate nature. He is credited for creating "a warm and inclusive atmosphere" that fosters enlightening discussions that link theoretical concepts to real-world examples. Beyond academics, Brady addresses important issues of diversity and inclusivity, drawing from personal experiences to create a meaningful connection with students. Brady's support extends beyond the classroom, making a lasting impact on students' lives.

Office recipient: The Office of Civic Engagement

Bucknell's Civic Engagement Office is dedicated to advancing the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Its staff’s proactive efforts have addressed both historical and emerging barriers to equity and inclusion on campus. The office has supported underrepresented students, faculty and staff by developing targeted programs and mentorship initiatives. Additionally, its initiatives in community-based learning and community-engaged learning categories have provided students with opportunities to engage with local nonprofit organizations, contributing to both personal and collective growth. The office's commitment to diversity extends to organizing cultural competency workshops and facilitating community engagement projects, fostering a more inclusive campus environment. Their annual workshop on civically engaged course offerings showcases their dedication to collaboration between community partners and Bucknell faculty/staff, ensuring the best educational experience for students while uplifting the community.

Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, vice president of equity & inclusive excellence with members of the Office of Civic Engagement. Photo by Devin Whalen '22, M'24

Collaborative group recipient: Social Justice Lunch Seminar

This group established a supportive environment for addressing social justice matters both on and off campus. By organizing speaker events, they educated students about various social justice issues, fostered lively discussions and created a safe environment for critical dialogues.

Social Justice Lunch Seminar organizers Professor Chase Gregory, English; Nikash Kale '25; and Ninah Jackson '25 with Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, vice president of equity & inclusive excellence. Photo by Devin Whalen '22, M'24

Student organization recipient: Global Student Council (GSC)

The GSC plays a crucial role in advancing the university's commitment to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. The GSC has demonstrated a nuanced understanding of power dynamics and privilege through active engagement in equity and inclusion initiatives. By facilitating positive interactions between international and U.S. students, the GSC works to bridge divides and foster an environment where diverse perspectives are respected. The introduction of the My Culture, My Country, and Me speaker series provided a platform for sharing diverse experiences and promoting understanding.

Student members of the Global Student Council with advisers Jennifer Figueroa, director of international student and scholar services; and Professor Felipe Perrone, computer science; and Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, vice president of equity & inclusive excellence. Photo by Devin Whalen '22, M'24

Burma-Bucknell Award

Given each year, the Burma-Bucknell Award recognizes an organization or University community member who has made outstanding contributions to intercultural and international understanding. The original Burma bowl was presented to the University by President Win Maung of Burma in 1958 as a symbol of the historic partnership between Bucknell and the nation of Burma, now known as Myanmar.

Recipient: Mark Elliott, senior development adviser

Throughout his four decades of service in University Advancement, Elliott has been steadfast in his advocacy for international student financial aid. He consistently emphasizes how international students enrich the Bucknell community and the significant sacrifices they make to attend the university. Elliott highlights the contributions of international students both on campus and beyond, citing their education at Bucknell as instrumental in their future success. His dedicated efforts have ensured that generations of international students have had the financial support necessary to attend Bucknell, which has helped to diversify the campus community.

The Virginia Travis Lectureship in Social Justice Award

Recipient: Farida Zaid, a member of the social isolation task force with the Pennsylvania Council on Aging

This award, dating to 1996, honors a member of the Bucknell or Lewisburg communities who has worked diligently and compassionately to promote social justice and progressive change at the local, state, national, or global levels. The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to one or more of the following principles: social, economic, educational, or political equality and opportunity; civil liberties; racial, gender, ethnic, sexuality, and religious freedom and dignity; ecological equality, or non-violence and conflict resolution. (Zaid won the award in 2020 but was unable to receive it due to the pandemic.)

Gregory E. Wright Award

Recipient: Ibrahim Tahir '24, computer science and economics

This award is given annually to a graduating senior who champions diversity and inclusion within the Bucknell community and beyond. This student leader demonstrates compassion, advocacy and vision to make the Bucknell community welcoming and nurturing for all students, particularly students of color. The award is presented by the Bucknell Black Alumni Association on behalf of Gregory Wright '73, M'76.