Mims Receives 'Catalyst' honor from UI

Nov. 16, 2007

IOWA CITY — UI Associate Athletics Director Fred Mims was one of five University of Iowa staff and one UI program honored Thursday by the UI’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at the ninth annual Catalyst Awards program.

The Catalyst Awards are a tribute to the diversity efforts at the University of Iowa. The awards honor faculty, staff, programs, departments, students and student organizations whose outstanding an innovative contributions enhance the University’s commitment to achieving excellence through diversity.

Mims, the staff member who oversees the UI Athletics Department’s student services office and compliance efforts, was presented a Distinguished Catalyst Award in recognition of initiatives he’s been responsible for that have enhanced the UI’s commitment to achieving excellence through diversity.

“I encourage you to get in the game and do it from the heart,” Mims said during his brief remarks.

The Distinguished Catalyst Award is a new category created this year to recognize individuals, programs, and departments that have a history of leadership to positively impact civility and respect, diversity and inclusion at the UI.

“Fred empowers others to make change, empowers students to be successful, and his commitment to the important issues of diversity, student achievement and community is longstanding and unflagging,” wrote one of the many peers, colleagues and current and former student-athletes.

UI President Sally Mason joined other UI staff, faculty and students in honoring Mims and Katherine Imborek, a fourth-year medical student; Rachel Garza Carreon, a librarian in University Libraries; Kathleen Kemp, a program administrator in the School of Social Work; and the Women in Science and Engineering program for its graduate and postdoctoral workshop series.

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