Professor Montoya Receives Presidential Luminaria Award
March 31, 2011
Professor Margaret Montoya received a 2011 Presidential Luminaria Award at the Second Annual Presidential Luminaria Awards and Diversity Celebration in late March. The awards, presented by the University of New Mexico's Office for Equity and Inclusion, recognize people who have "lit the way for diversity" on the UNM campus.
Montoya was selected as the faculty award recipient for her commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, which is evident in her teaching, research, service, multicultural or cultural programming, social justice activities and community outreach.
"Professor Montoya has spent her whole career as an advocate and a leader addressing equity issues," said Jozi De Leon, UNM vice president for equity and inclusion. "This award can only serve as a small acknowledgment of the vast and significant work she has accomplished."
Dean Kevin Washburn added, "Professor Montoya has successfully advocated for diversity both at the law school and at the medical school, opening doors for many New Mexicans into these important professions."
In the two years since the awards have been bestowed, the faculty award has gone to UNM law professors; in 2010, Professor Alfred Mathewson was the first recipient.
Additional recipients of the 2011 Luminaria Awards were:
- Staff: George Williams, Jr., Accessibility Resource Center;
- Student: Stephanie Tran, medical student;
- Student Organization: The Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC);
- Community Organization: Somos Un Pueblo Unido.
