ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award Reception
The purpose of the ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize staff and faculty members whose careers include generally twenty years or more of documented service and advocacy in antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion at SIU. Nominees should have made a meaningful impact on a robust number of students, staff, alumni, and/or faculty members. The Award celebrates individuals who create, sustain, and expand ADEI, resulting in greater justice and belonging for all members in our community. The SIU System Office of Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion held its first ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award Reception on April 27, 2023, on the SIU Carbondale campus following the Board of Trustees meeting. The inaugural ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award winners were Dr. Earleen Patterson, SIUE Associate Vice Chancellor Student Opportunities, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Father Joseph Brown, SIUC Professor and Director, School of Africana & Multicultural Studies.
Both Drs. Brown and Patterson were nominated by students and their peers and received glowing recommendations to receive the distinguished award. Both have spent countless years promoting, fighting for, and defending the ADEI work. Recommendations reflected each of their passion and enthusiasm for the work, and each has offered themselves as mentors to colleagues and students throughout their years. Words used to describe Drs. Patterson and Brown were advocate, tireless, compassionate, caring, straightforward, and sincere, just to name a few. The SIU System office congratulates Dr. Joseph Brown and Dr. Earleen Patterson on their achievements and hope they will continue to be a beacon of light to those they encounter.
