The University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Business Services has been awarded the 2017 Edwin R. Golden Award for Inclusive Excellence from the National Association of College Auxiliary Services. Mark Mills, executive director of Purchasing Services, accepted the award on Penn’s behalf at an awards ceremony and national conference in Colorado Springs, Co., on Nov. 6.

The NACAS award recognized the University for its Inaugural Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo, which it hosted in May. The Edwin R. Golden Award for Inclusive Excellence honors exemplary and outstanding service to cultural awareness in the profession of college auxiliary management and the promotion of inclusion in an ongoing fashion, through leadership in the areas of cultural diversity and equality.

“I am enormously proud of the partnership that the Penn team forged to conceive and execute the inaugural Supplier Diversity Forum and Expo,” said Penn President Amy Gutmann. “The leadership and drive of those involved ensure that Penn will continue to lead in this important arena and I could not be prouder or more pleased.”

The Expo and Forum were organized to raise awareness of Penn’s goals and objectives around supplier diversity and share best practices on inclusion. The event attracted over 350 people, bringing together 40 participating LGBTQ-, women- and minority-owned businesses, all local and diverse suppliers, Penn buyers, local agencies and organizations all in support of supplier diversity.