Counseling Specialist Susan Hurley of the University of South Florida Polytechnic  received the university's 2009 PRIDE Staff Award from the Committee on Issues of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.  She accepted the honor March 24 at the annual USF LGBT Community GALA in Tampa.

Hurley was selected because of her leadership in creating the Pride Alliance Committee, the Pride Month events, and her overall support towards USFP's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. A graduate of USFP's counselor education program, Hurley also established the campus's first counseling center.

"I was honored to receive this award, but I need to share the honor with the Pride Awareness Committee," said Hurley. "I have been fortunate to have a very supportive committee of faculty, staff and students from both USF Poly and Polk Community College who want to make sure that USFP and PCC recognize,  include and support its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students as they pursue their degrees."

"GALA is our signature event that demonstrates the collaborative efforts of all LGBT groups across USF's institutions and campuses in Tampa,  St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland," said Karen Berkman, executive director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, who serves as the chair of the Committee on Issues of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

"We are very excited that this will be the first year we will award a deserving student with a $1000 scholarship from the newly endowed LGBT scholarship fund.  Our community has grown and strengthened and will continue to add to the diversity mission to build a welcoming environment for all LGBT students, staff and faculty."