WILMINGTON — Art Brooks left large shoes for his successors to fill after 19 years when he retired in 2012 as Wilmington College’s director of multicultural affairs.
He left a legacy of great care and extraordinary support for WC’s students-of-color, as well as many youth in the Wilmington community.
Many have picked up that mantle of leadership or continued down the path Brooks cleared since 1993 in helping diverse populations of students navigate their College experience.
One of those to carry the torch of inclusion, equality and guidance has been Sigrid B. Solomon, WC’s vice president for student affairs and dean of students since 2007. She was selected to receive the inaugural Art Brooks Award of Diversity Excellence, which recognizes outstanding support for those diverse student populations.
Chip Murdock, Brooks’ latest successor in the director’s role, presented Solomon with the first award at the College’s Tyehimba ceremony April 26.
“I’m standing on the shoulders of a man who’s been a mentor to me,” Murdock said about Brooks. “Sigrid has worked diligently both on campus and in the community to provide valuable opportunities, guidance and support for our students.”
In citing Solomon’s leadership, he said Brooks Awards will be conferred annually to a student based upon leadership activities and being invested in the College community, and to a faculty or staff member who, like Brooks and Solomon, have exhibited outstanding support for diverse student populations.
