WASHINGTON — Diverse: Issues In Higher Education hosted its 14th annual presentation of the Dr. John Hope Franklin Award on Monday evening at the national meeting of the American Council of Education.
The three award recipients — Drs. Darlene Clark Hine, James J. Duderstadt and William R. Harvey — embody the trailblazing spirit of the late Dr. Franklin, a historian, writer, educator and humanitarian who demonstrated a high standard of excellence, leadership and service in higher education.
“As leaders, we have to be sincere in our desire to create inclusive environments where students, faculty and staff are given an opportunity to flourish and succeed,” said ACE president Ted Mitchell. “This isn’t something that just happens. It takes courage and requires us to commit ourselves daily to address the opportunities and challenges that exist.”
Mitchell noted that Franklin was committed to such work throughout his lifetime.
Upon receiving their awards onstage during an evening reception, Hine, Duderstadt and Harvey made remarks that recalled the significant impact Franklin had on their lives and academic careers.
Duderstadt, president emeritus and professor of science and engineering at the University of Michigan, shared that he has seen an “erosion” in leadership at the national level that demands that education leaders engage in the work of racial justice and diversity in the tradition of Franklin.
“This kind of progress is determined not simply by commitment and creativity, but this is an effort that has to be sustained,” he said. “It demands an even greater effort to continue the spirit of John Hope Franklin.”
