The 17th annual James A. Perkins Prize for Interracial Harmony and Understanding was presented March 8 to the Committee for the Advancement of Muslim Culture. Honorable mentions went to Cindy van Es for her Business Opportunities in Leadership and Diversity (BOLD) program, among other efforts, and to Peter Van Do on behalf of the "Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon" Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Program Series.

Sara Rahman '12, president and founder of the Committee for the Advancement of Muslim Culture, who accepted the award on behalf of the committee, noted in her application that the committee recruited a diverse group of 50 Muslims and non-Muslims to promote its mission of advocating for a space on campus "where students can come together to network, socialize and discuss the challenges Muslim Americans face in the post 9/11 world."

She wrote: "The word 'Muslim' is synonymous with 'terrorist' and 'extremist' in the minds of many Americans. This is an unfair and unjust burden on all Muslim Americans, a label that is not easily lost."

To date, committee members have spoken with professors, trustees and faculty members to create support for their cause. Their weekly Business and Bonding gathering "sparks dialogue between many groups on campus, creating a dynamic cultural community that is inclusive for those who identify as Muslim, educating all students, regardless of faith or culture, about the Muslim world, an invitation to dinner by President [David] Skorton to discuss the importance of a Muslim Cultural Center on campus, and conversations with the Diwan Foundation to fund an Islamic chaplaincy," she wrote.

Van Es, senior lecturer in applied economics and management, received an honorable mention for her various efforts to work toward "interracial harmony is found at every level," according to the event's program. For example, she directs the BOLD program, which promotes "conversations and actions that have created a more inclusive environment in the Dyson School and have increased the number of minority students," said the program. She was also cited for finding ways "to work her diversity commitment into her teaching by embedding a diversity of players in the examples used in class" and for offering a session at the Faculty Institute for Diversity that not only helps explain the leading diversity issues in classrooms, but provides practical ways for faculty to address them.

Van Do, program director in the Student Activities Office, was recognized with an honorable mention on behalf of the "Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon" Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Program Series that was in Ithaca in fall 2010. The exhibit and series of events highlighted the Vietnamese American experience since 1975. A collaborative project, it was hosted by Cornell and the city of Ithaca and supported by local schools, organizations and individuals throughout the state. The exhibit attracted more than 2,000 viewers in Ithaca. Events included the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, a festival, a film series, lectures, storytelling, workshops and performances.

Skorton presented the awards; also speaking at the event were Kent L. Hubbell '69, the Robert W. and Elizabeth C. Staley Dean of Students, and Thomas W. Jones '69, trustee emeritus, who established the Perkins Prize in 1995 to honor former Cornell President James A. Perkins.