The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement hosts its third annual Diversity Awards Gala and Scholarship Fundraiser to highlight the University’s successes in pursuing its diversity mission.

Beth Broderick

Actress and activist Beth Broderick is the featured speaker.

Guest speaker for the gala will be screen actress and activist Beth Broderick. The event is set for March 31.

The awards were created to honor UT Dallas faculty, staff, students and others working to build a campus committed to cultural understanding, tolerance, acceptance and respect.

 “It is very important for UT Dallas to recognize the contributions of these individuals because they help to realize our institutional commitment to embrace, enhance and celebrate diversity,” said Dr. Magaly Spector, vice president for diversity and community engagement.

Broderick is best known for her portrayal of Aunt Zelda in the long-running TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She has also appeared in Lost, The Closer, CSI and ER.

Diversity Awards Gala
and Scholarship Fundraiser

The annual awards for people who have promoted diversity at UT Dallas include:

  • Student Diversity Award.
  • Staff Diversity Award.
  • Faculty Diversity Award.
  • Inclusive Teaching Award.
  • Community Champion Diversity Award.
  • Diversity Ambassador Award.
  • Diversity Service Recognition Award.
  • Corporate Diversity Recognition.

Away from the studio, Broderick founded Momentum, a program  for people with AIDS in New York; co-founded the Celebrity Action Council for City Light Women’s Rehabilitation Program in Los Angeles; and contributed to a number of other women’s causes.

Funds raised from the UT Dallas Diversity Awards Gala will assist underrepresented students, including women, pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields. Students with records of academic merit, demonstrated financial need and the potential to increase the diversity of the student body receive priority consideration for these scholarship funds.

The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement program, titled “Yes, You can Achieve your College Dream,” has sponsored scholarships for eight students at UT Dallas in the past two years.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (972) 883-4560.