Oct. 29, 2004
State Diversity Award Renamed for Ann Lydecker
Last October, UW-River Falls became the first Wisconsin school to receive the
Educational Diversity Award sponsored by the Office of State Employment Relations
(OSER) and the State Council on Affirmative Action (SCAA). This fall, the award
was renamed to honor Chancellor Ann Lydecker, who died in a car accident in
March.
UW-RF Vice Chancellor Virginia M. Coombs attended the OCER ceremony honoring
this year's awardee, UW-Green Bay, on Oct. 28 at the State Capitol in Madison.
"Chancellor Lydecker was committed to institutionalizing our diversity
efforts," said Coombs. "She worked tirelessly with every constituent
on the campus, in the local community, the region and the state to insure that
we were living this mission.
We are honored that the state of Wisconsin has named the education award in
honor of Chancellor Lydecker. It is a particular pleasure to present this award
to UW-Green Bay. Chancellor Bruce Shepard was a good friend and long-time colleague
of Chancellor Lydecker."
The Educational Diversity Award was introduced in 2003 to recognize the efforts
and achievements of state institutions of higher learning in preparing minorities,
women, and persons with disabilities for employment in the state of Wisconsin.
This year, OSER and SCAA decided to rename the award to recognize Lydecker.
"Changing the name of the Educational Diversity Award is a good way to
honor Ann Lydecker and her life's work and achievement," said Demetri Fisher,
advisor for the OSER's Division of Affirmative Action.
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