8:38 a.m., May 11, 2009----The Julie Mapes Wilgen Award in Human Sexuality and Gender Studies was awarded for the first time on Honors Day 2009 to Andrew Chapman Christy, a senior majoring in political science and women's studies with minors in history and sexualities and gender studies.

THIS STORY

E-mail

Print

Twitter

Established by an endowment from Julie and Michael Wilgen, the award recognizes outstanding achievement by an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated a commitment to the field of human sexuality and gender studies and who has shown an appreciation for diversity and for the betterment of society.

“I have dedicated my life's work to the field of sexuality education and family studies,” said Wilgen, assistant professor in the Women's Studies Program and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. “My husband and I wanted to establish this award to honor rising stars who demonstrate this interdisciplinary human service focus. We are so pleased that the first recipient is truly a shining example of the type of student we hope to encourage.”

During his tenure at UD, Christy has served as a Blue Hen Ambassador and resident assistant while maintaining an outstanding academic record. He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society and a recipient of that department's Paul Dolan Award, a $10,000 scholarship awarded to a rising senior political science major whose career objective is law in the service of the public good.

Christy's career goal is to become an attorney specializing in international human rights in the public sector. In the fall of 2009, he will enter Georgetown University Law School, where he will major in international human rights law.

Christy has been active both on and off campus with various human rights and gender equity organizations. He has worked as an intern with the American Civil Liberties Union in Delaware and served as president of the Civil Liberties Union student organization.

He has been actively involved in the Men Against Rape Society (MARS), including three years as president, Students Acting for Gender Equality (SAGE) and Sexual Offense Support (SOS), all student organizations that address the issues of gender equality and sexual assault awareness from various perspectives.

Christy also led the efforts of the Direct Action Committee to create domestic partner benefits for same-sex faculty and staff couples at the University and has served as a member of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Committee, which plans events for the annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month on campus.

In his letter in support of Christy's nomination for the Julie Mapes Wilgen Award, James Magee, professor and former chairperson of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, predicted, “In 10 or 20 years, UD and the law school he attends will be boasting about him as one of their more influential and accomplished alumni.”

Article by Beth Chajes