The ceremony will include a traditional awards segment, but the Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity and Community event will also surround attendees with traditions of another sort - the tastes, sights and sounds of a culturally rich campus.
The program for the first annual awards seeks to create a lively atmosphere, enhanced by a lineup of multicultural entertainment. Open and free to the campus community, the event starts at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University Club.
"Really, we want to make it a celebration of the richness of our campus community," said Roberto Paez, UC Davis special assistant for diversity and affirmative action and the organizer of the awards program.
Accordingly, festivities will include an exhibit of paintings, prints, sculptures and textile art, plus music and food representing various facets of the campus community. "Art representing our Asian-American, African-American, Native American, Chicano/Latino and other communities will be featured," Paez said.
Entertainment kicks off with an inspirational solo performed by a member of UC Davis' acclaimed Gospel Choir. And presentations include a performance by Danzantes del Alma, UC Davis' student folkloriko dance troupe.
The Four Seasons Jazz Quartet also will take the stage. Led by Garrett Perkins, the group will be joined by special guest UC Davis Police Chief Calvin Handy.
A logical choice to sit in with the group, Handy is not only an accomplished saxophonist but also a past recipient of the city of Davis' Community Education and Awareness Award. He earned the award in 1996 for his efforts to promote peaceful conflict resolution and appreciation for Davis' multicultural community.
Formally starting at 5 p.m., the awards ceremony will ultimately recognize individuals from the campus community who have shown significant achievement or modeled exemplary service in the areas of diversity and community-building.
member each from the staff, Academic Senate and Academic Federation are eligible for awards as are an undergraduate and graduate student. Each award comes with a $1,500 prize.
Vice Provost Barry Klein, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Carol Wall, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Dennis Shimek served on the selection committee.
And Wednesday evening's award presenters will include Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef and Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Robert Grey.
"Learning to live with and enjoy diversity is one of the great university experiences our students and employees can have," Vanderhoef said. "Those who are especially creative in making this happen surely deserve our special recognition."
UC Davis invited Manuel Gómez to deliver the keynote address. Gómez this month left his post as UC Irvine vice chancellor for student affairs to accept an interim position as UC vice president for educational outreach.
"Dr. Gomez was selected to deliver the keynote because of his long involvement in diversity efforts within the UC system and because he understands at a practical level the kinds of evolutionary issues faced by Davis and other campuses at this time," Paez said.
Wednesday's award ceremony augments the Staff Diversity and Affirmative Action Achievement Awards presented May 7 at the chancellor's residence.
Though the staff awards program will continue to be offered in the future, the new Chancellor's awards provides an additional level of recognition to the contributions of various campus members, Paez said.
Grey encouraged the campus community to attend Wednesday's event.
"We want the awards event to be a time for us all to take stock of who and what we are as a multicultural, multidimensional community," Grey said.
"We hope the campus will join us in making the spirit of this event something we all celebrate - not just on one special day, but everyday."
For further information, call Paez at (530) 752-2071 or e-mail drpaez@ucdavis.edu.