Outstanding African-American University Women Honored

As part of Black History Month, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Black Student Union and the Collegiate 100 hosted the Black Love Day Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Feb. 11 in the Africa Room.

In addition to a catered dinner, performances and remarks by two professional life counselors and the Rev. Diane Hearn of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, awards were presented to outstanding African-American women of the University’s campus community.

“This is a very special and unique program because the focus is on love,” said Dr. Rahmon Hart, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. “Faculty, staff and students came together and took time to express their appreciation and love for one another, which is something that we often forget to do.”

The honorees were:

• Outstanding Leadership: Hally Ramirez, a senior biochemistry major, Student Government Association Vice President of Student Life and chairwoman of the Pittsburgh Student Government Council
• Outstanding Academic Achievement: Ciarra Lewis, a senior early childhood education major in the Barbara A. Sizemore Urban Education initiative
• Outstanding Athleticism: Arielle Love, a junior sports marketing major and an integral part of Duquesne’s first-ever volleyball Atlantic 10 conference championship
• Outstanding Community Service: Charquinta McCray, a 2013 Duquesne University graduate with a master’s degree in policy analysis and administration
• Outstanding Faculty/Staff Member: Lydia Sanford, Parkhurst Dining staff
• Distinguished Woman of the Year: Amber Satterwhite, assistant to the director of multicultural affairs.