Sara Ahbel-Rappe, Professor of Classical Studies, is one of six faculty receiving the 2018 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service award. The award recognizes University of Michigan faculty members on the Ann Arbor campus who have exhibited outstanding leadership in the area of cultural and socio-economic diversity. It is a highly competitive award.
The selection committee and Office of the Provost recognized the extent and extraordinary calibre of Sara's work on multiple fronts to increase diversity and to enhance the success of students from underrepresented groups in the department and field and beyond—from her prison teaching to the SCS committee on Classics and Social Justice to MICCHERS to the creation of the Bridge MA. Especially with the Bridge MA, Sara has built a unique structure in the humanities at UM and Classics more broadly for enrolling cohorts of graduate students that will help to transform our department and field. Her influence on diversity matters in Classics and beyond runs deep.
Joining Professor Rappe at the award ceremony is Bruce Frier, Professor of Law and Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies. He is a 2007 recipient of the same award, which recognized his significant and public role in a number of difficult issues involving diversity, some concerning behind the scenes negotiations involving multiple constituency on sensitive matters. Bruce led the Provost’s task force on transgender people in the University of Michigan environment and also spearheaded the effort to persuade the University to provide same-sex partnership benefits to employees and students.
The work of both of these colleagues took not only time but moral courage and commitment. Congratulations and thank you, Sara and Bruce!
