Normandale Community College’s Equity and Inclusion team was one of two recipients of the City of Bloomington’s Omar Bonderud award.
Awarded since 1974, the Omar Bonderud award is presented by the Human Rights Commission to an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to ensuring the rights of people in Bloomington. Omar Bonderud was the first Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, formed in 1968.
The Normandale Equity and Inclusion team received the award, along with Unidos MN, a grassroots organization that builds power with Minnesota’s working families to advance social, racial, and economic justice for all.
It marked the third time that Normandale or employees of the college have received the Omar Bonderud Award. Former Normandale Associate Dean of Students Gail Cywinski received the award in 1977 for her work in organizing Human Rights Day observance. The college as a whole also won the award in 2016 for its overall work in inclusion and equity, which included the President’s Council on Diversity (PCOD) as part of the College’s Diversity and Inclusiveness Campus Series.
Normandale Community College Associate President for Equity and Inclusion Corey Crowder spoke at the City Council meeting on December 8 about receiving the award and the work the Equity and Inclusion team does at Normandale. Inclusion and Belonging Program Coordinator Amal Warsame and Equity and Inclusion Projects Coordinator Amy Fairgrieve joined Crowder in accepting the award the amazing work the department does for Normandale.
“I have the privilege of leading this team of amazing individuals with our focus on advancing equity mindedness throughout the campus,” said Crowder. “This work is about making sure everyone has what they need to thrive. We appreciate Mayor Tim Busse mentioning that Normandale previously received this award in 2016. That work was really setting the foundation for us to have an Equity and Inclusion team, but also a foundation for the institution to lean into equity-minded work. We take a great deal of pride in being able to continue that work and that mission, and being a part of the legacy that the leadership team set forward for us.”
Earlier in 2025 fall semester, Normandale also received awards for Excellence in Equity Innovation, Innovation in Global Education, and Innovative Student Affairs Program at Minnesota State’s ASA Academic & Student Affairs (ASA) Leadership Awards
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