Jamal Holtz

Michael Lowenstein Memorial Award

Presented by Jessica Guzman-Rea, Director, Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center

It is my honor to award this year’s Michael Lowenstein Memorial Award to Jamal Holtz. As director of the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, I have known Jamal during his entire tenure at the University of Rochester and have thoroughly enjoyed watching him learn and grow as a student leader on campus.

As a Posse Scholar, Jamal is well respected by campus community members for his leadership, dedication, diplomacy, and humility. His recommender Dr. Anne-Marie Algier stated, “Jamal became actively involved in campus issues and dedicated himself to making the community stronger.” As chair of the College Diversity Roundtable, I too have witnessed Jamal speak to administration, faculty, staff, and his peers about vital topics, which they took seriously in order to create positive social and institutional changes.

In his role as Vice President of the Students’ Association Government, Jamal co-chaired the Gender Inclusivity Working Group, implementing a waiver process that pushed student organizations to become gender inclusive amongst their membership. He spent time working on the Department of Public Safety Gun Proposal Ad-Hoc Committee and the Flag Lounge Advisory Committee.

As President of the Students’ Association Government, Jamal established a Presidential Advisory Council in order to have more student input, oversight, and to serve as advisors regarding different diversity, equity, and inclusion issues permeating across campus. One thing that stands out about Jamal is that every time there was a bias-related incident that impacted the campus community, Jamal wasn’t afraid to lean in and help facilitate a discussion among his peers.

Jamal is a natural leader and vocal advocate for social justice, equity, and public service. In fact, he was able to heighten the awareness of others that paying attention to racial issues on our campus was vital to having open and honest dialogue. Therefore, I am honored to give this year’s Michael Lowenstein Memorial Award to Jamal Holtz.

Congratulations!

About the Award

The Michael Lowenstein Memorial Award, named for Michael Lowenstein (class of 1960), is presented to the University of Rochester River Campus undergraduate who deepens student, faculty, and community awareness of existing social, racial, or political inequities. This undergraduate, through their work and actions, has endeavored to promote the ideals that Michael cherished. Michael sought to give a fresh view of things around us, to focus upon issues, to probe deeply using fact and objectivity, and to open a dialogue with the community to find some answers.