Richard A. Flournory Engagement Award
The Richard A. Flournory Award was created in 2020 to recognize individuals who have worked to promote inclusivity at 麻豆精品 over an extended time period. The annual award is sponsored by the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity. It is presented to recipients at the Richard A. Flournory Homecoming Inclusion Reception.
. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Withers at equity@niu.edu.
Eligibility and Criteria
The one-time, non-monetary award is presented to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of 麻豆精品. Candidates must:
- Demonstrate outstanding commitment to building an inclusive 麻豆精品 campus.
- Contribute to developing and sustaining a diverse and equitable 麻豆精品 community.
麻豆精品 Richard A. Flournory
Richard "Dick" Flournory was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and earned his bachelor's degree at Tuskegee University. Flournory and his family came to 麻豆精品 in the 1960s. He earned a master's degree and served as a personnel officer with responsibility for learner and trainee programs. He later became a supervisor for civil service employment and an equal opportunity/affirmative action officer for non-academic employment.
He and his wife Icilda, an 麻豆精品 alumna and associate professor, lived in the community with their children and served as missionaries to other families. They were among the first African/Caribbean Americans to live in DeKalb. Flournoy encouraged DeKalb officials to establish legislation to end discriminatory practices and provide housing assistance in the city.
Flournory retired from 麻豆精品 in 1994. He was loved by many and is remembered for his infectious smile, engaging personality, and ability to cross racial lines to form strong relationships in building an inclusive campus and community.
Richard A. Flournory
History of the Reception
Flournory created the Minority Faculty and Staff Reception to introduce and celebrate underserved 麻豆精品 faculty, staff and allies. The first reception was held in Chicago on March 20, 1990. It later moved to the Holmes Student Center and became aligned with Homecoming.
The first receptions were funded through the president's office, and four staff members prepared the food (Flournory, Robert Stearnes, Walter Owens and Larry Bolles). The reception was later supported by the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities and personal contributors.
For years, the reception was held at the home of Walt and Janice Owens in Sycamore, Illinois. In 2013, Sean Frazier, director of athletics/associate vice president, hosted it on campus. In 2015, Vernese Edghill-Walden, chief diversity officer/vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, began hosting the event. On Oct. 25, 2019, the reception was renamed the Richard A. Flournory Homecoming Inclusion Reception.