BFSA recipients of President’s Distinguished Diversity Award

(April 9, 2019) — For the first time, the Black Faculty and Staff Association is the recipient of the 2019 President’s Distinguished Diversity Award in the faculty and staff category. We are proud of the efforts of our organization to advance inclusiveness at UTSA.

from left to right: Vice-President Dr. Sonja Lanehart, President Michelle Skidmore, Historian Yolanda Williams, VP for Inclusive Excellence Dr. Myron Anderson, Secretary Wanda Guntz, and Treasurer Brian Kelley

A message from the BFSA President Michelle Skidmore

 It is with great honor and pleasure to inform you that the Black Faculty and Staff Association has been selected to receive The University of Texas at San Antonio’s 2019 President’s Distinguished Diversity Award (faculty and staff category). This is the first time that BFSA has received this distinction at UTSA.  We also honor BFSA member LT Robinson, Dean of Students, who received the University Excellence Leadership Award, and Taylor Waits, recent graduate of UTSA and student ambassador, who received the President’s Distinguished Diversity Award (student category).

I’m extremely proud of everyone who has committed to advancing diversity and inclusiveness and fighting for ensuring the African-American community has a voice in contributing to improved practices of recruiting Black faculty and staff, providing mentorship for our students of color and retaining faculty, staff and students who exemplify Black excellence. We thank President Eighmy, his team, and Dr. Myron Anderson who are working hard to create innovative and strategic ways to enrich the campus climate and serve historically underrepresented groups.

BFSA wins Diversity Award
BFSA is presented with the President’s Distinguished Diversity award at the University Excellence Ceremony April 18, 2019.

Farewell dinner for Dr. Sonja Lanehart

(July 18, 2019) — BFSA members, friends and colleagues gather to wish Dr. Sonja Lanehart a warm farewell at Pappdeaux’s Restaurant on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Dr. Lanehart accepted a position at the University of Arizona at Tucson. We will miss her dearly. Dr. Lanehart served with BFSA since 2008, and she has taken on leadership roles as President and Vice President.

Dr. Lanehart presented with gift
The BFSA presented Dr. Lanehart with a hand made decorative orange and blue glass bowl.