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.

This year’s recipient is VICTORIA THOMAS, a nursing student who has been called “the epitome of cultural enrichment and appreciation.” Last year, she served as director of SGA’s Diversity Affairs Committee, bringing Diversity Week and the “Wall of Expression” to UT. This year, she serves as director of diversity on SGA’s executive board and is a member of ME4UT, where she hosts minority students visiting UT. She also is a committee chair for the Black Cultural Programming Committee, where she was instrumental in planning the MLK program. On top of all this, Thomas volunteers her time with Habitat for Humanity, TeamVOLS, Relay for Life and Dance Marathon.