One of the original founders of Multicultural Day at Moorpark College, Ranford Hopkins, received the Distinguished Faculty Award at the beginning of the school year.

Hopkins, a history professor who also teaches courses in African American history, said he was honored to be the 12th recipient of the award.

“The fact that people took the time to write or consider me and to consider the things I’ve done,” said Hopkins. “It’s amazing really, and I’m really appreciative of the time and effort that gone into the selection.”

The DFC is awarded to faculty that shows excellence in teaching as well as serving the community and Moorpark College, according to a statement issued by Jeanne Brown with Public Relations. A faculty member nominates potential recipients and that nomination is then voted on by former award holders and members of the academic senate.

Hopkins is not only well liked with the faculty, his students believe he is deserving of the award as well. Stefan Magnusson, a student worker for the Social Sciences Division and former student of Hopkins, says that Hopkins earned the multiple nominations for the award.

“It’s well justified, I think he is one of the best instructors I’ve had at Moorpark,” said Magnusson. “If I had a fever, I would still go to his class.”

Hopkins was one of the original members of the Multicultural Committee, which inaugurated the first Multicultural Day in the spring of 1991. According to Hopkins, the idea for the alternative teaching day came to him while attending the Great Teachers seminar in the spring of 1990. He then presented the concept to Bruce Garber, professor of English, and John Baker, professor of Anthropology. Both men liked the idea, and the idea became reality one year later.

“I somehow thought about this for sometime, and had it all laid out in my mind,” said Hopkins. “We got back to campus, Bruce Garber in particular and a handful of other faculty followed through with the plan and brought it to fruition.”

Part of the DFC award is a $500 scholarship that the Moorpark College Foundation inaugurates. The criteria are up to the recipient of the award, and Hopkins plans on dedicating it to aspiring inner city elementary school teachers. He says that he was inspired to do this by his sister, Sharon Hopkins, who taught elementary school in the inner city for 30 years, and who now is unable to teach due to a brain tumor. Because of this, Hopkins also plans on naming it after her.

Pam Eddinger, the current president of Moorpark College, strongly believes that Hopkins is deserving of the award.

“I can count on him to be impartial and all those things you expect from a good colleague,” Eddinger said. “He is a good friend. He is a wonderful friend of the college, and the students love him, which is the most important part for me.”