Panel at leadership event
The Bonner Foundation’s annual Summer Leadership Institute was held at the University of Richmond. As part of the event, 15 UR faculty, staff, and alumni — including Sylvia Gale (center), executive director for the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement — were recognized with awards that highlight their legacy of excellence in community engagement and service.

15 University of Richmond Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Honored with National Awards for Community Engagement and Service

July 31, 2025

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The Bonner Foundation has recognized 15 University of Richmond faculty, staff, and alumni with awards that highlight their legacy of excellence in community engagement and service. The awards were announced at the Foundation’s annual Bonner Summer Leadership Institute last month, which was held at the University of Richmond this year.

UR’s Bonner Center for Civic Engagement is committed to supporting student engagement, faculty and staff engagement, community relationships, and institutional engagement, and is home to one of the largest Bonner Scholars Programs in the country.

University of Richmond faculty, staff, and alumni receiving national Bonner recognitions include:

Lives of Service Awards
Awarded for long-term commitments through 10+ and 20+ years of work with the Bonner Program

  • Amy Howard, associate provost for strategic initiatives & community engagement
  • Blake Stack, senior associate director of student engagement, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement
  • Kim Dean-Anderson, senior associate director of community relationships, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement
  • Sylvia Gale, executive director, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement
  • Terry Dolson, senior associate director for community-engaged learning, Bonner Center for Civic Engagement

Spirit of Ubuntu Awards
Awarded to individuals who embody the spirit of community engagement

  • Monti Datta, associate professor of political science
  • Emmy Weldon, assistant professor of theatre & dance

Living the Mission Awards
Awarded to alumni who have moved into professional roles in the field

  • Arthur Tartee, a 2017 graduate and program associate, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Chaz Barracks, a 2011 graduate and future professors fellow, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Syracuse University
  • Shannon Maynard, a 1997 graduate and executive director, Congressional Hunger Center
  • Cory Schutter, a 2019 graduate and director of strategic storytelling, Union Presbyterian Seminary
  • Jonathan Zur, a 2003 graduate and president & CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities

From Action to Impact Awards
Awarded for excellence in teaching

  • Mary Finley-Brook, professor of geography, environment, & sustainability
  • Lauren Henley, assistant professor of leadership studies

Engaged Scholar Awards 
Awarded to scholars who have made significant contributions to the field

  • Karina Vazquez, senior teaching faculty and director of community-based learning for Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies
  • Kyle Redican, teaching faculty of geography, environment, & sustainability and director of the Spatial Analysis Lab

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