Five students, a faculty member and an administrator at the University of Richmond were celebrated for achievements during the school’s inaugural Black Excellence Gala held at the campus last Saturday.

The student honorees were science and technology student Noah Walker; basketball star Jaide Hinds-Clarke; leadership role model Dom Harrington; inspiration leader Kiana Gunn; and political activist Alicia Jiggetts.

Dr. Shannon Z. Jones, director of biological instruction and coordinator of the UR Integrated Science Experience program, received the Distinguished Educator Award.

Chantelle E. Bernard, associate director of Multicultural Affairs and Disability Services and an organizer of the gala, was saluted for her work to build “meaningful and impactful relationships with students.”

During the gala, Donitrae Goodson of George Wythe High School was awarded a $1,000 scholarship that was provided through a partnership between the Upsilon Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at UR and the school’s 423 Fund.

The black-tie affair that drew nearly 300 attendees was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the admission of the first African-American students at the University of Richmond in 1968 and to raise awareness of the integral role African-American students have played in promoting diversity and excellence at UR, Ms. Bernard said.

She described the event “as a new tradition where we unite our past, present and future, acknowledge our history and applaud our strides.”

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the fraternity sponsored the event.