The Office of the Vice President for Business Affairs is pleased to announce the establishment of the “Supplier Diversity Award.”

This annual award will recognize outstanding contributions made by UF employees in the advancement of utilizing businesses owned and operated by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans, as well as small, locally owned companies.

We are proud of the strong efforts across our campus to help ensure opportunities for businesses that have historically been under-utilized or under-represented in the affording of opportunities.  We believe efforts of this nature continue to reflect the core values held by the university and its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The creation of this award will serve to further encourage our employees to continue to reinforce those values.

We ask your assistance in encouraging your staff to nominate a colleague they feel is worthy of this award. Information regarding the criteria and nomination application is available on the division’s website at http://www.sbvdr.admin.ufl.edu/events/sdaward.html.

The winner(s) selected for this award will be announced at the 2014 Small Business Conference & Trade Fair luncheon at the UF Hilton Conference & Hotel on March 20.  A $500 cash award will be given to the Top Advocate and a $250 cash award to the First Runner-Up.

For additional information or questions about the Supplier Diversity Award, please contact the UF Small Business & Vendor Diversity Relations Division at 352-392-0380 or via e-mail to Faylene Welcome, Director at fwelcom@ufl.edu or Darlean Manning, Program Assistant at dmannin@ufl.edu.   You can also visit the division’s website at www.sbvdr.admin.ufl.edu.