Rev. Ronald J. Fowler, longtime area religious, civic and educational leader, has been presented the Kent State University Diversity Trailblazer Award for 2011 for his lifetime contributions in advancing diversity at Kent State and throughout Northeast Ohio.

A distinguished Kent State alumnus, Fowler is a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and a consultant to the university on diversity recruitment and retention. He also works with Akron and Cleveland public schools on behalf of the university.

Fowler also chaired the influential Commission on Inclusion, a broad-based panel whose 15 recommendations laid the groundwork for Kent State’s push to "Inclusive Excellence" – now a core university value of maintaining a welcoming and nurturing learning environment for students, faculty and staff.

"The Trailblazer Award recognizes pioneers for diversity, those who bring proven sustainability and progressive change to our community," says Dr. Alfreda Brown, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. "That description could have been written with Rev. Ron Fowler in mind. His life has been one of tireless service and significant contributions to diversity and community engagement."

Fowler is well-known in the region for his long tenure as senior pastor of Akron’s Arlington Church of God, as a board member of Akron Public Schools and as a leader in other civic and business boards and organizations.

The annual Diversity Trailblazer Award recognizes diversity pioneers associated with Kent State, Northeast Ohio’s largest university and one of the nation’s 77 top public research institutions.