Justine Floyd, senior in agribusiness, received the Commerce Bank Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Services in Enhancing Multiculturalism at Kansas State University.
Zelia Wiley, assistant dean of diversity and director of diversity programs in the College of Agriculture, nominated Justine for the award, which was established in 1997 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to diversity enhancement.
“I nominated her because of her academic excellence and compassion for social justice for all,” Wiley said.
Following the nomination, Floyd presented for 10 minutes on the subject of Multicultural Student Organizations (MSOs) bridging and bonding on K-State’s campus to a selection committee consisting of at least 10 faculty and student leaders at K-State. Following her presentation were 10 minutes of Q & A from the selection committee. To demonstrate how MSOs bridge and bond, Floyd spoke about the recruitment, retention and graduation of multicultural students as a result of being members and leaders of various MSOs such as the Black Student Union (BSU), Asian American Student Union (AASU), Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) and many more. For many multicultural students, their first college experience is Multicultural Academic Program Success (MAPS). This is a 6-week academic and professional developmental program for high school graduates attending K-State in the fall in the Colleges of Agriculture, Business, and Engineering. Because of this, Floyd suggested that MAPS was the first step on the bridge, followed by joining MSOs and by finally receiving their Mortar Board and graduating. Thus, the theme, “From MAPS to Mortar Board.”
“Justine has demonstrated exceptional character, leadership, and service toward the enhancement of multiculturalism and diversity in the department of agricultural economics, the College of Agriculture, and Kansas State University,” said Andrew Barkley, agricultural economics professor and Floyd’s advisor. “Justine is dedicated to the service of others, an outstanding role model and mentor to other students, and a true pleasure to work with and be around.”
A reception occurred to honor Floyd after the committee selected her for the award; the reception video can be viewed here. Floyd gave a second presentation at the ceremony to talk about the importance of multiculturalism and diversity and how the two subjects, though different, work together.
“Being a student leader at Kansas State has taught me to understand and value the difference between diversity and multiculturalism. More importantly, it has taught me that when you pair the two, there lies great potential for success,” Floyd said in her speech. “I believe that multiculturalism and diversity are a dynamic duo that have been and will continue to be the framework by which students on this campus find themselves.”
She gave thanks to Commerce Bank for their support of K-State’s diversity initiatives; her parents, Tarrance and Jacqueline; Bryon Williams, assistant director of undergraduate admissions; Zelia Wiley; Andrew Barkley; Brandon Clark, program assistant in the office of diversity; and Myra Gordon, associate provost in the office of diversity.
Floyd was joined at the reception by her parents, friends, various department representatives, members of the Black Student Union and advisors and members of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). A representative from Commerce Bank and Pat Bosco, dean of student life, also attended.
“It has been a pleasure having Justine as a student in our college and most specifically as a student in the K-State MANRRS chapter,” Wiley said. “She takes pride in her personal demeanor and takes responsibility for actions. I witnessed her growth both personally and academically. I am very proud she will become a graduate of our college and represent the diversity programs office.”
“I felt really honored and I felt overwhelmed. I feel like I won an award for something I actually care about… It wasn’t so much academic as it was social activities. It felt like I was actually making a difference,” Floyd said.
She described the process of receiving the award as fun and challenging. In May, Floyd will be the third African-American to receive a Bachelor of Science in agribusiness from the Department of Agricultural Economics. She has also been a communications assistant for the department since June 2014.
