CMU Legacy Ball
The Community Legacy Ball honors both campus and regional change-makers for their outstanding contributions to social justice and meaningful change. Launched as a vision to elevate inclusive excellence and belonging within the region, this annual event marks the perfect close to the academic year. It brings together individuals committed to CMU's mission of supporting opportunities that allow everyone to thrive in their personal and professional experiences.
Enjoy an elegant night of dinner, dancing, live music, and meaningful connection as we celebrate the progress we've made together. This event is open to anyone who is part of the CMU community.
The 2026 Community Legacy Ball will take place Friday, April 17, 2026 in Finch Fieldhouse.
Award Categories
Nominate someone for an award! Award nominations are due March 15, 2026.
Dr. Diane E. Newby Award for Inclusive Excellence in Education
Nominees for this award have demonstrated diligence and consistency in working towards the systematic development and inculcation of inclusive, equitable, and just praxis, pedagogy, and/or policy in educational environments. Nominees will have aptly established their capabilities through teaching, administration, research, and acts of service.
Stan L. Shingles Award for Distinction in Mentorship: Nominees for the Distinction in Mentorship award have exhibited their ability to create a nurturing learning environment that centers diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Provost's Award for Exemplary Research and Scholarship
Nominees for the Exemplary Research and Scholarship award have demonstrated their capacity for grounding their works in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in a manner that supersedes normative explorations of research questions.
Innovation in Inclusive Excellence and Social Justice Award
The Innovation in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice award acknowledges the contributions of campus constituents who have been creative in designing and implementing curricular, co-curricular, and/or program opportunities geared towards contributing to CMU's overarching priorities related to equity, inclusive excellence and social justice.
Outstanding Social Justice Leadership in Community Service Award (Individual)
Nominees for the Outstanding Social Justice Leadership in Community Service award are individuals or entities whose ethos embraces and expounds upon a civic duty that aims to attend to societal needs alongside communities and ecologies.
Dr. Laura Gonzales Award for Outstanding Social Justice Leadership in Community Service (Group)
Nominees for the Outstanding Social Justice Leadership in Community Service award are individuals or entities whose ethos embraces and expounds upon a civic duty that aims to attend to societal needs alongside communities and ecologies.