2025 Awards
2025 Social Justice Awards Keynote Speaker
Héctor Tobar
Author, novelist, and journalist
An acclaimed author whose body of work includes both fiction and nonfiction exploring themes of race, ethnicity, and identity. Among his notable books are Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of 'Latino', which won the 2023 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction, and Deep Down Dark, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and adapted into the film The 33. He has also written several celebrated novels, including The Tattooed Soldier, The Last Great Road Bum, and The Barbarian Nurseries, the latter of which was a New York Times Notable Book and winner of the California Book Award.
Tobar's writing is shaped by his background as the son of Guatemalan immigrants and his engagement with students and Latino communities. His work highlights the complexities of Latino identity, challenges simplistic or stereotypical narratives, and calls for deeper, more empathetic understandings of race and belonging in America. Through both personal reflection and broader cultural analysis, Tobar emphasizes the importance of lived experience in shaping how individuals understand themselves and others, positioning his work at the intersection of literature and social justice.
2025 Social Justice Awards Honorees
Emerging Leadership Award
Dr. Mishka Murad
Associate Director of Greek Life and Student Societies
Murad’s work with Greek Life students has been considerable. She revamped Greek leadership training to ensure that student leaders furthering wellness and belonging initiatives have been adequately trained. Murad helped mandate anti-hazing training, initiated a robust speaker series, and played a crucial role in supporting students.
Ongoing Commitment Award
John Brett, ’00
Vicar, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oakland, CA
Brett's commitment to the unhoused and members of the San Francisco Bay Area street community has taken place over many years. Previously with the Gubbio Project and now as a Community Programs Director and SF Night Ministry’s Faithful and Fabulous minister.
The Student Organization Award
Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color (DACC)
DACC's work has been a consistent presence for decades, creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for all families, with a focus on children of color and their caregivers. Student leaders choose meaningful activities that foster long-lasting bonds.
The Holly Fell Sateia Award
Dr. Lisa McBride
Associate Dean for Community Impact and Partnerships, Geisel School of Medicine
McBride has transformed the culture Geisel and across the campus. McBride was instrumental in bringing all living Surgeons General together to discuss mental health; she has brought forth an immediate and sustained impact in the Geisel and Dartmouth communities.
David McKinley
Assistant Director, Center for Professional Development
McKinley has been a consistent and focused advocate for inclusive programming. His accomplishments and oversight include creating an inclusivity-focused internship program, newsletter, and various other tools to help those interested find organizations with matching values.
The Upper Valley Community Award (2025)
Julius Turner
Co-Founder of the Upper Valley BIPOC Network
Turner has created a group that has become a beacon of hope and community for people of color, their families, and supporters. His dedication also extends across several boards addressing issues at the intersection of housing, health, education, and advocacy, including the Twin Pines Housing Trust, the Public Health Council, Youth-in-Action, and UV Equality Anti-Racism.
The Lifetime Achievement Award
Lisa Robinson Spader, ’81
President, Global Pearls
Robinson Spader is the co-founder and president of Global Pearls, which seeks to reduce poverty and suffering in developing countries, especially among women, children, and other marginalized groups. Her considerable humanitarian actions include efforts to care for Ukrainian war orphans, provide healthcare and education in India to reduce maternal and infant mortality, and creation of Girls’ Clubs in Kenya to combat gender-based violence.
The Lester B. Granger ’18 Award
Dr. David Woody, ’77
President & CEO, The Bridge
Through the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Woody’s commitment to the unhoused has meant a focused dedication and advocacy toward the goal of alleviating poverty in Dallas, Texas. Woody has implemented models to continue to treat all individuals regardless of housing status with dignity and respect.
Dr. Theodore Tapper, ’61
Pediatrician, Philadelphia, PA
Tapper has devoted his life as a pediatrician to providing quality health care for children in a lower-income area of South Philadelphia, eschewing higher income in favor of serving those in need. His dedication also extends to his advocacy of a former patient, CJ Rice, who was sentenced to prison for a crime he could not have committed. Thanks to Tapper’s tireless support, Mr. Rice is now free.