2016 Harold Adams Award

The Harold Adams Award was presented to Cathy Patus on April 19 during the UofL Annual Student Awards program.  Cathy recently retired as Director of the Disability Resource Center after 34 years of service to the university. Well respected across campus as an expert in the field of accessibility, she defined the words “Student Advocate and was a resource for many students and staff.

Cathy was an educator on accessibility and she was very active in the state and national association called AHEAD. She has hosted both state and national AHEAD conferences in Louisville. Her value as a colleague has been immeasurable. She and DRC staff were responsible for implementing iCount—a campus awareness program, and for purchasing an online records system called Clockwork. Seeing the need, she and DRC staff converted the notetakers program from a paid position to a service position where the volunteers get service hours and this has greatly increased participation in the note taking process. Cathy’s collaborated with almost every department on campus to educate and advocate for an accessible campus so all students can succeed. “I cherish every moment of my UofL experience, and challenge each and every one of us to commit to the goal of a campus community that is welcoming and inclusive to all.” she said.

View List of Previous Harold Adams Award Winners

Harold Adams Nomination Form

The Harold Adams Award, sponsored by the Dean of Students Office, is a memorial tribute to Harold “Butch” Adams, 1963 UofL graduate, Assistant VP for Student Life 1977. Created in 1989 along with the endowed Harold Adams Memorial Scholarship Fund, through generous contributions from family, friends and colleagues to remember Harold’s devotion to students, it serves as a tribute to his enrichment of the lives of people around him, his nurturing nature to students, and his great care and concern for every phase of students’ educational experience. Harold’s attitude, sense of unselfishness and constant concern for the enrichment of student life will always be remembered. The Harold Adams Award is awarded to the individual who best meets the qualities and spirit always demonstrated by Harold Adams.