Maddox one of three receiving UGA's Bates Medal of Excellence

The Leslie K. Bates Medal of Excellence was presented to Candace Maddox, Abraham Ortiz and Magnolia Weaver during the multicultural services and programs Senior Leader Reception on May 9 at the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries.

The award honored Maddox, Abraham Ortiz and Magnolia Weaver for their commitment to the University of Georgia's multicultural community.

Maddox is a program coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services. Ortiz is a graduating senior. And Weaver is a local business owner.

Maddox hails from Atlanta and joined the faculty in 2013. Her research interests include identity development, qualitative research methods, psychosocial development, supervision practices and student success at historically black colleges and universities.

When divisive and racially charged comments were posted last fall on the Facebook pages of the Black Affairs Council, LGBT Resource Center and Black Faculty and Staff Organization, Maddox led a town hall style gathering to help students process the emotional impact of the event.

Ortiz is a native of Kennesaw who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology this semester. He is the president of the student organization Latinos Invested in Students of Tomorrow and has spent his time at UGA working to build a strong community that both values and models inclusion.

During the summer of 2013, Ortiz worked in the multicultural services and programs office as a student assistant and helped the office prepare to open its doors in a newly renovated space.

Weaver is the owner of Magnolia's Bake Shop in Athens. She is a longtime supporter of multicultural services and programs. Her friends and associates say she shows her love of students by cooking for them.

"As I reflect on the milestones, achievements and challenges of this academic year, it is clear that the contributions of Dr. Maddox, Mr. Ortiz and Mrs. Weaver have helped MSP live our core values of social justice, leadership, civic engagement, advocacy, support and community on our campus and beyond," said Zoe M. Johnson, director of multicultural services and programs.

"I am grateful to each of them for sharing their time and talent in making such a meaningful impact on the student experience," she said.

Leslie K. Bates served as the first director of multicultural services and programs when the office opened its doors in September 1989 under the name Minority Services and Programs. The Leslie K. Bates Medal of Excellence recognizes students, faculty, staff and community members who have dedicated their time and service in support of multicultural services and programs and its initiatives.

The Senior Leader Reception is held annually to recognize those students who have excelled in advancing the MSP mission and who have provided exceptional leadership to their student organizations.

Multicultural services and programs is a unit within UGA Student Affairs.

For more information, call 706-542-5773 or see http://msp.uga.edu.