Gordon Bettles was introduced to the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. by his mother.
“She told me, ‘You need to listen to this man, he is saying things that should have been said a long time ago’,” Bettles said while accepting a 2006 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award on Tuesday.
Bettles was one of five faculty and staff members honored with the University’s annual award that recognizes individuals who resurrect the spirit of King, Jr. on a daily basis in the University community.
Facilities Services Accounting Assistant Evila Mitchell, Center for the Study of Women in Society Director Sandra Morgen, associate professor of history Martin Summers and associate professor of sociology Mia Tuan also received the prestigious award in front of friends, family and co-workers in the Gerlinger Alumni Lounge.
President Dave Frohnmayer presented each award individually.
“Of all the awards I have received, I place this one at the top,” Bettles said.
Bettles, who earned a master’s degree at the University, is interim steward of the Many Nations Longhouse on campus, a general meeting place traditional to many Native American peoples in the Pacific Northwest. He is one of a handful of individuals who speaks the native language of the Klamath Tribe.
“When I found out I had won this award, I couldn’t believe it,” Bettles said. “I was also very glad that my family and tribal elders were here to share this with me.”
The noon event, which featured hors d’oeuvres, a buffet and piano playing by Meg Graf, wrapped up the weeklong University Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
Mitchell was born in the Peruvian jungle before moving to Oregon at the request of her sister. Though not a native speaker, Mitchell has full command of the English language. She interprets for non-English speaking staff members on a daily basis and is a safe house for people to communicate with, Frohnmayer said.
Last spring, Morgen created a panel of three women of color who have been instrumental in facilitating the latest policies and institutional actions toward gender and religion.
“It’s something extraordinary when someone tells you that you are to get an award named after Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Morgen said. “As a kid learning about him, I wondered, ‘Why aren’t we all like this?’”
Tuan was a major catalyst for the development of the Center on Diversity and Community, an organization that she is now the director of.
“Mia is not only welcome, but she is indispensable to this University community,” Frohnmayer said.
Summers played a major role in the revitalization of the Faculty and Staff of Color Coalition, has been involved with CoDaC and was an affiliated member of the Executive Board of Ethnic Studies. Frohnmayer praised Summer’s ability to connect his students to campus and current world issues in his classes.
The award process began in the fall with more than a dozen nominations of faculty members, officers of administration, officers of research, classified employees or groups of employees, said Kathy Cooks, programs specialist of Human Resources and head of the selection committee.
Criteria for the award include dedication to the ideal of social harmony, embodying the humanitarian spirit exemplified in King’s life and showing compassion toward others amidst the realities of today’s complicated bureaucracy.
“It’s nice to take a minute to let people at the University know they are appreciated,” Cooks said. “It’d be nice if people did this more often.”
Many speakers acknowledged the importance of events like this that give the opportunity to celebrate the success achieved in diversity at the University, among the problems that occur.
It was the 13th year the award was handed out. The award traditionally recognizes individuals from various departments around campus. The gathering of colleagues and opportunity to mingle with staff and faculty that don’t see each other day to day is what makes the annual event special, Cooks said.
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