Recognition was given at the 2nd Annual Ally Awards to those who have shown support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The event Monday afternoon recognized individuals, departments or groups who have done something positive for or have shown support for the LGBT community during the 2005-2006 school year.

The event was sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center and the Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

“The awards are to recognize people on campus who have done something supportive for the LGBT community,” said Margie Cook, Director of the LGBT Resource Center.

Cook explained the awards are similar to the concept of a lifetime achievement, and are for the little things people do. More than 30 awards were given out this year.

“The awards are given out to students who chose to do a class project related to LGBT studies, to professors who have included LGBT in their teaching, all the way to the university provost, who helped create the LGBT program and resources,” Cook said. “They have all done something to help bring awareness to LGBT issues on campus. We are catching people in the act of doing something good.”

Sophomore sociology major Philip Engleking attended Monday’s reception.

“I nominated someone and wanted to show up in supporting the Ally’s that are getting awards. It’s important to show their support to the LGBT movement,” Engleking said. Engleking is a member of the Prism executive board, which is how he heard of the reception. Prism and the LGBT Resource Center often work together.

One recipient of the Ally Award this year was Robert Brookey, an associate professor of communication. Brookey was part of the effort to start the certificate program in LGBT studies. Brookey decided to get started in the LGBT movement when he was first going for his master’s degree.

“I realized that LGBT studies was an emerging area of scholarships, especially in communications,” Brookey said.

Sitting on a convention panel, he realized LGBT issues were becoming part of communication studies. This is what helped him pursue scholarships in LGBT studies.

“I am very fortunate to be here at Northern. Realizing how comfortable it all seems and I shouldn’t take that for granted makes me feel very good,” Brookey said.