����Ӱ��

The annual ceremony next month will honor outstanding individuals and organizations in the Dartmouth community for their commitment to peace, civil rights, education, public health, and various forms of justice.

The event, set for 4:30 p.m. on May 21 at the Hanover Inn, will feature keynote speaker a distinguished author, novelist, and journalist. Tobar has written several books, including Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of ‘Latino’, winner of the 2023 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction. 

He authored the novels The Tattooed Soldier and The Last Great Road Bum, and his nonfiction book Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of Thirty-Three Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle that Set Them Free was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and a New York Times bestseller. It was adapted into the film The 33. Another of his novels, The Barbarian Nurseries was a New York Times Notable Book and won the California Book Award.

Tobar’s writing revolves around the complex conceptions and history of race and ethnicity in America, and provides a unique view into how we can use our personal journeys and lived community experiences to ultimately better understand each other.

Tobar’s work is deeply intertwined with social justice, particularly through his exploration of Latino identity and the systemic challenges faced by Latino communities in the United States. In Our Migrant Souls, Tobar delves into the complexities of “Latinidad.”

Drawing from his experiences as the son of Guatemalan immigrants and the narratives of his students, he critiques the stereotyping of Latino individuals, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced understanding of their identities and experiences.

Beyond his literary contributions, Tobar’s journalistic endeavors further highlight his commitment to social justice. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, he has reported on significant events including the Los Angeles riots of 1992, and his writing has also offered insights into the lived experiences of working-class individuals in Southern California. Through his multifaceted work, Tobar advocates for a more inclusive society, challenging prevailing narratives, and advocating for the recognition of diverse voices.

“Héctor Tobar’s work exemplifies the power of storytelling to deepen our understanding of complex social issues and bring national conversations into sharper focus,” says Senior Vice President . “We are honored to welcome him to campus as we celebrate this year’s Social Justice Award recipients—individuals who are driving meaningful change across a range of communities and causes.”

This year’s recipients of Social Justice Awards, presented across seven different categories, have all promoted awareness, understanding, and/or action for the common good.

The Emerging Leadership Award 

Recognizing individuals who have dedicated fewer than 10 years in their chosen field or are recent graduates and, through their field of work, have promoted awareness, understanding, and/or action for the common good in peace, civil rights, education, public health, environmental justice, or social justice.

Mishka Murad

Associate Director of Greek Life and Student Societies 

Murad’s work with Greek Life students has been considerable. She revamped Greek leadership training to ensure that student leaders furthering wellness and belonging initiatives have been adequately trained. Murad helped mandate anti-hazing training, initiated a robust speaker series, and played a crucial role in supporting students.

The Ongoing Commitment Award 

Honoring a Dartmouth community individual who has served between 10 and 20 years in their chosen field of work, promoting social justice in their community and beyond.

John Brett ’00 

Vicar, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland, CA 

Brett has worked with the unhoused and members of the San Francisco Bay Area street community over the course of many years, previously with the Gubbio Project and now as a community programs director and SF Night Ministry’s Faithful and Fabulous minister.

The Student Organization Award 

Honoring a student group for its commitment to promoting social justice in our community and beyond. 

Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color 

DACC’s work has been a consistent presence at Dartmouth for decades, creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for all families, with a focus on children of color and their caregivers. Student leaders are intentional about choosing meaningful activities for kids and fostering bonds. 

The Holly Fell Sateia Award

Celebrating the legacy of the late Holly Fell Sateia, Guarini ’82, vice president for institutional diversity and equity, emerita. This award recognizes faculty or staff who demonstrate an enduring interest in and ability to build and enhance diversity through sustained effort and work, enriching the lives of surrounding community members. This enrichment helps foster a safe environment where a community can learn, collaborate, and innovate.

Lisa McBride

Associate Dean for Community Impact and Partnerships, Geisel School of Medicine 

McBride has transformed the culture at Geisel and across the campus. McBride was instrumental in bringing all living surgeons general together to campus to discuss mental health; she has brought forth an immediate and sustained impact in the Geisel and Dartmouth communities. 

David McKinley 

Assistant Director, Center for Professional Development

McKinley has been a consistent and focused advocate for inclusive programming within the . His accomplishments and oversight include the creation of an internship program, an inclusive newsletter, and various tools to help those interested find organizations with matching values.

The Upper Valley Community Award 

New this year, the Upper Valley Community Award honors individuals outside of Dartmouth who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to social justice in the Upper Valley. This award recognizes community members who work tirelessly to promote inclusion and the well-being of all, whether through grassroots activism, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, direct service, and/or community building. Recipients above all embody the values of compassion, resilience, and moral courage, inspiring others to build a more just and inclusive society

Julius Turner

Co-Founder of the Upper Valley BIPOC Network 

Turner has created a group that has become a beacon of hope and community for people of color, their families, and supporters. His dedication also extends across several boards addressing issues at the intersection of housing, health, education, and advocacy, including the Twin Pines Housing Trust, the Public Health Council, Youth-in-Action, and UV Equality Anti-Racism.

The Lifetime Achievement Award 

Honoring individuals who have dedicated more than 20 years to their chosen field and, through this field, have promoted awareness, understanding, and/or action for the common good in peace, civil rights, education, public health, environmental justice, or social justice.

Lisa Robinson Spader ’81 

Global Pearls 

Robinson Spader is the co-founder and president of Global Pearls, which seeks to reduce poverty and suffering in developing countries, especially among women, children, and other marginalized groups. Her considerable humanitarian actions include efforts to care for Ukrainian war orphans, provide health care and education in India to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and the creation of Girls’ Clubs in Kenya to combat gender-based violence.

The Lester B. Granger, Class of 1918, Award 

Recognizing a Dartmouth graduate or graduates whose lifelong commitment to public service has been exemplary. Granger Award recipients have exhibited leadership and innovation in meeting community needs and benefiting an underserved population.

David Woody ’77 

President & CEO, The Bridge 

Through the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Woody’s commitment to unhoused people has meant a focused dedication and advocacy toward the goal of alleviating poverty in Dallas, Texas. Woody has implemented models to continue to treat all individuals regardless of housing status with dignity and respect.

Theodore Tapper ’61 

Pediatrician, Philadelphia, PA

Tapper has devoted his life as a pediatrician to providing quality health care for children in a lower-income area of South Philadelphia, eschewing higher income in favor of serving those in need. His dedication also extends to his advocacy of a former patient, C.J. Rice, who was sentenced to prison for a crime he could not have committed. Thanks to Tapper’s tireless support, Rice is now free.

This awards ceremony is free and open to the public. is requested.