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MACE Receives Diversity & Inclusion Award

May 14, 2021

The award was presented at the hybrid Lead Blue: Student Organizations Celebration and Award Ceremony on April 28.

MACE enjoying a group hike

MACE enjoying a group hike

The Materials and Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (MACE) received the Diversity & Inclusion Award at the hybrid Lead Blue: Student Organizations Celebration and Award Ceremony on April 28. The Office of Student Organizations and Activities began the campus tradition of awarding and honoring individual students and student organizations by creating the Lead Blue Awards to recognize the successes and accomplishments of student organizations, advisors, and student leaders.

MACE received the Diversity & Inclusion Award for its Traditions, Trivia, and Treats event series. Francisco Leniz, MACE Social Chair, came up with the idea and contributed to its success. This event series was initially developed as a means for the graduate student body to come together, get to know each other, and to gain a greater appreciation for the many different personal and cultural backgrounds of its members.

Lauren Mehanna, the President of MACE, said, “We are very honored to have received this award from The Office of Student Organizations and Activities. The Traditions, Trivia, and Treats events have been a great addition to our organization, especially during COVID-19 when we have faced greater isolation. We are fortunate to have a diverse group of faculty, staff, and graduate students in our department, and these events have provided a unique opportunity to stay connected by learning more about each other and many cultural traditions different than our own.”

MACE was formed in 2013 as a conduit for graduate students to interact through meaningful collaborations, exchange of intellectual property, access to physical assets as well as interact together on a departmental level with faculty. MACE hosts an annual Research Symposium, assists in graduate student recruiting and organizes social events throughout the year to build community among graduate students in the department.