Dr. Mark Melton, professor of biology and dean of the School of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, was honored in Washington, D.C. at the 15th National Role Models Awards Gala on October 4 as a Minority Access 2014 National Role Model by Minority Access, Inc.

According to Andrea Mickle, president of Minority Access, Inc., “Our aim is to identify inspirational role models in various categories to inspire others to emulate them and thereby, increase the pool of underrepresented scholars and professionals in these fields.”

Dr. Melton was nominated by Dr. Sarwan Dhir, professor of plant biotechnology in the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology at Fort Valley State University. One of the featured guest speakers at the conference was the Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder Jr.

“It was indeed an honor to be nominated and receive the Minority Access, Inc. National Role Models Faculty Mentor Award,” Melton said. “The Awards Gala, coupled with the outstanding student research presentations, were the highlights of a wonderful conference. I am truly humbled by this outstanding award and view it as validation that my role as a servant leader to both students and faculty in the School of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering and campus wide has not gone unnoticed.”

Minority Access, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that conducts the National Role Models Project with the cooperation of 170 colleges and universities.