DRN Celebratory Dinner: A decade of impact event summary

December 8, 2025 - Micaela Flores and Deborah J. Johnson, Ph.D.

On Nov. 13, 2025, our community came together for a special evening to celebrate 10 years of Diversity Research Network, or DRN, impact. The celebratory dinner honored the scholars, partners and campus leaders whose dedication and vision have shaped the DRN’s growth, strengthened faculty excellence and expanded opportunities for research and professional development across the university.

two women embrace two women smiling and sharing laughter a man and a woman exchange greetings a group of friends give their hellos

The evening’s program reflected the depth, history and essence of the DRN community. We opened with a Yoruban drumming Prayer, beautifully rendered by Pam Young, which set a reflective, grounded tone for the occasion. We were then honored to hear from university leadership including Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer Dr. Jabbar R. Bennett, Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs Dr. Teresa Mastin, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Laura Lee McIntyre, and speaking for Vice President for Research and Innovation Douglas Gage, we heard from, Co-Director of the Bridge Lab and Senior Fellow for Research Infrastructure Dr. Patricia Soranno. Each speaker offered remarks that underscored the importance of the DRN’s goals, its impact on scholars and the MSU community, and their shared commitment to sustain the DRN’s mission for years to come.

a woman is cheerful at the lectern a woman smiles as she watches a drummer in front of her

Guests were treated to two short videos created by Henry Mochida, Inclusion Communications Manager for the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact and University Communications and Marketing. The “What is the DRN” video, delivered by the clear voices of our faculty, provided a heartwarming overview of our mission, meaning and impact. The DRN historical video captured the network’s origin story, early champions and the sustained momentum that has carried the DRN through its first decade.

DRN Director Dr. Deborah J. Johnson then shared a presentation of the DRN early self-study and evaluative data covering the last 10 years, highlighting the DRN’s evolution, reach and ongoing contributions to faculty excellence. The audience also heard reflections from faculty whose scholarship and network engagement embody the purpose of the DRN, including College of Social Science Distinguished Senior Scholar and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Dr. Emilie Smith; Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Dr. Safoi Babana-Hampton; and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and former Director of the Chicano/Latino Studies Program, Dr. Isabel Ayala.

Each faculty voice shed light on DRN programs they found beneficial to their career success, the importance of the DRN’s role in optimizing MSU’s commitment to excellence and inclusion, and illuminated the ways in which they have been positively impacted by DRN initiatives.

an awardee receives a plaque awardees pauses for a photo a woman walks up to receive recognition an awardee receives a bouquet

We closed the momentous gathering with a recognition ceremony honoring the visionaries, partners and friends who helped shape the DRN’s legacy. Members of the community were celebrated across three categories: “Vision and Heart,” honored those who helped found, build, and sustain the DRN; “Distinguished Community and Institutional Partners,” recognized those whose meaningful support contributed to key programs and defining periods in the ongoing lift of the DRN.; and “Important Friends and Figures in DRN History,” acknowledged longstanding supporters who advanced the DRN in meaningful ways.

a man smiles and gestures toward the audience while speaking at the podium a woman in the audience smiles and looks onward a woman speaks at the lectern

The night was filled with warmth, connection and heartfelt reflections. Guests shared how meaningful the gathering felt, with one noting, “What you all have done to make the experiences of faculty who just needed the right support and nurturing, mentoring and peace make me feel amazing!” Others echoed the sentiment, saying, “Thank you so much for all you do to support faculty excellence,” and “Beautiful night! Thank you for everything.” Many described the evening as “a perfect night” and remarked simply that “the event was beautiful.”

a group of staff take a photo in front of a backdrop

As we look ahead to the next decade, we remain deeply grateful for the community that makes the DRN what it is. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone, and to all who continue to advance the DRN’s mission of supporting faculty success through connection, collaboration and sustained investment in scholarly productivity, research, professional development and the whole scholar.

Photos by Dane Robison