On behalf of the 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Award Committee and the Office of Institutional Diversity at Oregon State University, Lara Jacobs was informed that she is a recipient of the 2021 Oscar Humberto Montemayor Award.

 The Oscar Humberto Montemayor Award was created to honor Oscar, who served the Oregon State community with diligence and grace over a three-decade career. After graduating from OSU, Oscar served as the academic counselor with the College Assistance Migrant Program for many years and later served as the Associate Director for Academic Success with Diversity & Cultural Engagement. The award honors a current Oregon State student who embodies Oscar’s ethos of selfless service; steady, strong, considerate leadership; and trailblazing spirit and heart.”

This is a nomination-based award in which the recipient must meet the following criteria: 

• A community builder and connector who brings individuals together and helps create a home away from home for Oregon State students from underrepresented communities;
• A trailblazer who creates and organizes to lift up, support and celebrate individuals and communities;
• A quiet, steady, considerate, under-the-radar leader who goes above and beyond the call of their role out of love and care for their community; and,
• A spark who brings life, laughter, spirit and resilience to their actions and deeds.

Lara exclaims, “It’s an amazing award and I’m humbled to receive it and share this great news with ARCS Oregon!” Congratulations Lara! The Oregon Chapter is very excited that she has received this inspirational recognition.