Doug Crews, professor of anthropology, was recently selected for Ohio State's Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award.

The award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated a significant commitment to enhancing diversity and to exceeding expectations in implementing the university's Diversity Action Plan. Recipients are honored with a plaque and a $1,200 honorarium.

Throughout his 19 years in the Department of Anthropology, Doug Crews has directed much of his scholarly research toward exploring diversity and health issues among ethnic groups such as African and Native Americans. It is through this extensive research that, according to one nominator, “he developed the profound understanding of why diversity enhancement is so essential to his profession and to society in general.”

Crews uses this expertise and passion for diversity to contribute positive changes to the OSU governing community. He serves on a staggering four University Senate committees — the Faculty Hearing Committee, Rules Committee, Steering Committee and Diversity Committee — on all of which he acts as a significant and respected voice of the specific needs the committees address.

Perhaps his most influential contributions have been to the Diversity Committee, on which he has served the past five years, including for three years as its chair. During his time in the group, Crews has been influential in catapulting the committee from a secondary to a prominent role in the university’s diversity efforts. He did this through encouraging participation from people interested in specific issues and by making each member of the committee, from student to staff, feel valued.

“The senate Diversity Committee is the only entity in university governance that is formally concerned with diversity, and during Dr. Crews’ time as chair its essential role in the consideration of all matters relating to diversity at OSU was restored,” wrote a nominator.