Valley Star

Issue date: 3/16/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Sevan Ghazaryan Sevan Ghazaryan / Valley Star ACHIEVEMENTS- Journalism Department Chair Rod Lyons presents French professor Paul Harper with an award in honor of his contributions in equal opportunity hiring.

Valley College faculty members received awards and Paul Harper, associate professor of French, was the special honoree at an Equal Opportunity Committee hiring procedures workshop Thursday, March 3.

Thirty equal-opportunity representatives were presented with certificates in recognition of their valuable contributions with various committee members in attendance at a luncheon at Valley's Cafteria Conference Room.

"I'm pleased that so many members were here to take part," said Dr. Tyree Wieder, Valley College president. Wieder presented a special award to Paul Harper and said he was "one of our illustrious members; a mainstay on campus."

Rod Lyons, journalism department chair, moderated the three-part seminar to highlight different aspects of hiring.

"It's the subtle acts that are very important. A lot goes into making sure to protect each applicant so that the process is fair and equal," said Lyons.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Carlie Tronto explained the procedures of the classified and certificated hiring process.

"It's a very good experience. We get to meet other faculty members and understand how the process works," said Tronto.

"The focus is on achievement in diversity," said Tino Manzano, dean of enrollment management.

Harper accepted his award honoring his contributions and held the trophy up high for everyone to see.

"[This is] indeed a surprise for me," said Harper. He summed up what the award meant to him by saying "In a word: appreciation."

Harper says he feels that diversity does not mean ethnicity alone. "I advocate an embracing of different cultures and the opening of the mind."

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