2020 Giles Award Winners

The Institute for African American Studies has announced the winners of the Lee Roy B. Giles Encouragement Award, established in 2010 by his wife, Dr. Freda Scott Giles, Professor Emeritus in the Institute.  The Award honors the legacy of Mr. Giles with a cash award given to a student who has exhibited excellence in the area of African American Studies, whether in research, practical application, or academic experience.

The application committee chooses one graduate student and one undergraduate student to receive the award each spring. This year’s award winners are Quin Thomas, an undergraduate major in Political Science, with minors in African American Studies and Criminal Justice Studies, and Chanara Andrews, a doctoral student in the English Department who is also pursuing a Graduate Certificate in African American Studies. The Institute also acknowledges Sharon Nuruddin (TESOL and World Language Education), Ashley Crooks-Allen (Sociology), and Marvin T. Chiles (History) for their exceptional graduate work, and Afokeoghene Gimbiya Egberi, an outstanding undergraduate (Women’s Studies and Pre-Medicine). 

Lee Roy B. Giles was a multitalented actor and educator, and the annual award honors his passion for education:

His numerous credits include working with the New Federal Theatre, the Billie Holiday Theatre, and the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. He spent two years with the Free Southern Theatre, touring the South. He played the role of Sweets Crane in the Broadway production of "No Place to Be Somebody" prior to joining that play’s first national tour.

The Lee Roy B. Giles Encouragement is awarded each spring by the Institute for African American Studies.

Image: Photo of Mr. Lee Roy B. Giles