MCCCD chancellor honored

By Julie Rhodes Mataway, December 2011
Feature Editor

Rufus Glasper, Ph.D., Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District, was awarded the Jerry J. Wistosky Torch of Liberty Award, the highest honor awarded by the Arizona Region of the Anti-Defamation League, during ceremonies held On Oct. 27 at the Phoenix Sheraton Hotel.

Photo courtesy of the Anti-Defamation League

Maricopa County Community College District Chancellor Rufus Glasper displays the Torch of Liberty Award bestowed by the Arizona Region of the Anti-Defamation League on Oct. 27.

This award was established to honor people who demonstrate extraordinary humanitarianism and whose lives exemplify the principles on which the ADL was founded. It was the 40th annual presentation of the award by the ADL, the nation’s premier civil rights and human relations agency.

Bill Straus, ADL’s Regional Director, said Glasper was singled out for this award due to his personal and professional dedication to the ideals of ADL.

“These Ideals include fairness, equality under the law, justice and mutual respect,” said Strauss. There is no question (Glasper) holds these qualities above and beyond. He is a great honoree.”

In a Nov. 7 news release by the District, Strauss applauded Glasper’s leadership as chancellor of one of the largest community college districts in the country. He also praised his strong advocacy of educational access and opportunity for all.

“Throughout his career, he has led the effort to make our community more inclusive,” Strauss said of Glasper.

Glasper is in good company. Previous recipients of this award include Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl, Dr. Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University, former Arizona Governors Janet Napolitano and Jane Dee Hull and Jerry Colengelo, former owner of the Phoenix Suns.

In the same ceremony, awards were also given to other outstanding Arizona achievers in civil rights.

Lisa Urias, president and CEO of Urias Communications, Scottsdale, was presented with the Al Brooks community Leadership Award.

Two Phoenix police detectives, John Justus and Ray Egea shared in the George Weisz law enforcement award for their work in helping dismantle one of the most threatening neo-nazi groups in Arizona.

These awards were presented by Straus. Board chair MiriamWeisman and dinner chairs Edumdo Hidalgo and Rich Boals presented the Torch of Liberty Award to Glasper.

Glasper currently serves as the Committee co-chair, with Dr. Tom Anderes, President of the Arizona Board of Regents, of the Lumina Foundation on Education "Getting AHEAD" Initiative, whose goal is to reshape Arizona's post-secondary education system and enable more residents to successfully obtain a college degree.

Glasper earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and a master's in degree in school business administration from Northern Illinois University. He received his doctorate of philosophy degree in higher education finance from the University of Arizona. In May of 2005 he received of an honorary doctorate in Political Science from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.