This award of distinction was given for the first time to Mrs. Suel during the 1994 luncheon. Mrs. Suel had given of herself to both the Miami University and Oxford communities. She resided in Oxford for most of her life, during this time she provided housing, meals, and entertainment for Miami students. The Women of Color Celebration committee has continued to give this award to other spirited women of color.

• Jennie Elder Suel
• Award Nomination [Download Nomination Form]
• Previous Awardees

Jennie Elder Suel

Mrs. Jennie Elder Suel, this woman of distinction, was born in 1904. She came to Oxford, Ohio after marrying Clifford Suel. Mrs. Suel passed away in 1999, at the age of 95. Her accomplishments:

• She began her education at Tuskegee Institute. While she was there, the great inventor, Dr. George Washington Carver, taught her. She left Tuskegee Institute after a year and moved to New York City to complete her nurse's training.
• Mrs. Suel donated historical documents to Miami University. They are "born-free" papers of her late husband's grandparents', and the recorded union of her great great grandparents.
• Opening her home to Miami University students, she gave room and board to African-american students who were not allowed to live on campus.

Award Nomination [Download Nomination Form]

We are seeking nominations of faculty, staff and community women with similar contributions and dedication to Miami University and the community in which they live. Please consider particularly those who have been warm and welcoming to others, and their efforts in furthering others above and beyond their official job responsibilities.

Write a brief essay on why you nominated this woman for the award. Be sure to include how she has made a difference in the Miami University Community and community at large, as well as why this person impressed you. Cite specific examples of the individual's work. Please limit to two pages.

The nomination is due January 23, 2008

1995		Gail DellaPiana, for her role in mentoring, housing and supporting women at Miami.
1996		Sarah (Sally) Sanford Faulkner-Smith, for her efforts leading to the formation of Allen Foundation and keeping an open house for African-American students.
1997		Mary Felder Porter, for her leadership as Director of the Young People's and Children's Division of the South Ohio Conference and establishment of the Emma Kent Scholarship.
2001		Bettye Brown, for her charity work in Oxford and her role as Director of the Oxford Advisory Welfare Services (now Oxford Tallawanda Community Services Inc.).
2001		Julie Olds, for educating the university community about Miami Tribe culture and tradition .
2002		Cheryl Burgan Evans, for her efforts in recruiting minority graduate students and then making sure their stay at Miami and in the community is a positive experience.
2003		Iris DeLoach Johnson, for her encouragement of young people to see the beauty of math, science and engineering.
2003		Marian Musgrave (posthumous), Miami's first black female faculty member, for consistently encouraging her students to do better and to go beyond the average.
2004		Bessie Rome, for her work with youth in her church and her dedication in assisting others in need in the Oxford community.
2004		Deloris Rome Hudson, for her advocacy of public education and her work to improve conditions for students and teachers.
2005		Ruchelle Dunwoody, for her dedication to fostering a positive enviroment for youth in sports.
2005		Susan Mosley-Howard, a gifted teacher and scholar, for her advocacy on behalf of Miami students and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and youth in  her community.
2006		Etta Caver , for beginning a soup kitchen in her home and beginning the Dream Center “Feed the Hungry Project, which has received national attention.
2006		Martha Brown , for quietly assisting residents, especially elderly residents, in the Oxford community.
2007		Paula Saine , for dedicating her life to teaching and educating children and for her work in literacy education.