Gene Mitchell Gray Pioneer Award

Presented by the Commission for Blacks

The Gene Mitchell Gray Pioneer Award recognizes a student for proactive contributions in promoting cultural diversity.

Joseph M. Cole, a fourth-year student majoring in architecture, was instrumental in bringing a NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architecture Students) chapter back to active status, providing minority architecture and interior design students a place where they can belong. He has served as vice president and president for NOMAS and attended their national conventions for the past two years. He is active in INROADS, serving as the Nashville Student Association president and an INROADS intern. Cole is a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee and frequently participates in UT-sponsored minority recruiting events.