Baker, Rangel and Zimmer recognized for contributions to LGBTQA+ communities, campus committees.

Baker, Zimmer recognized for contributions to LGBTQA+ community

Lincoln, Neb. –  DaWon Baker, Diversity and Inclusion Director, and Keith Zimmer, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Life Skills and Enrichment, have been named winners of the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community. Kai Meacham, a junior biological systems engineering student was named as the student award winner.

The trio were awarded for their contributions to creating an inclusive, respectful and safe climate for members of the LGBTQA community at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Given annually at the Lavender Graduation, the selection committee noted the following:

“Zimmer and Baker were honored for consistently working to improve the climate within Husker athletics for LBGTQA+ identified student athletes. Nominators praised both for being instrumental in the success of the Husker Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Committee (HADIC), implementing the Diversity and Inclusion Summit that unites 1,000 student-athletes and staff members to establish a shared vision; working with staff to post visible signs of inclusion for all students; and hosting programming with LGBQ-identified athletes and allies.”

For Zimmer, the recognition speaks to the department’s willingness to collaborate. “To be recognized with this award speaks to the commitment of inclusive excellence that is a high priority within athletics and across campus,” said Zimmer. “Nebraska Athletics appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with other campus departments to ensure a safe and welcoming climate for all UNL students.”

This marks the 2nd consecutive year that an athletics representative was recognized as an award winner. In 2018, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant Dr. Lawrence Chatters was awarded for his contributions to the LGBTQA community.

Baker accepted the award on behalf of himself and Zimmer during the Lavender Graduation on April 18th.  

Inclusive Leadership Retreat Planning Team receive inaugural President’s Inclusive Excellence Collaboration Award.

DaWon Baker, Diversity and Inclusion Director for Athletics, and Pablo Rangel, a Learning Specialist within Athletics, both serve on the campus committee awarded for UNL’s inaugural President’s Inclusive Excellence Collaboration Award. The Inclusive Leadership Retreat Planning Team is comprised of multiple students, faculty and staff at UNL. President Bounds created the Inclusive Excellence Collaboration Award to "honor sustained, outstanding contributions in diversity and inclusion between two or more University of Nebraska academic and/or administrative units or campuses."

Honorees must demonstrate proven outcomes in advancing priorities like campus climate or recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff. 

The Inclusive Leadership Retreat launched in Spring 2018, and promotes a leadership style that promotes inclusion and an inclusion based skillset. Participants complete a retreat that focuses on multiple inclusion related topics, such as bystander intervention, implicit bias, and customized leadership plans for personal and organizational leadership. Rangel and Baker served on a larger planning committee for the Inclusive Leadership Retreat for Spring 2019. The Inclusive Leadership Retreat Committee was honored at a luncheon on May 9 by Bounds and Executive Vice President and Provost Susan Fritz.