A calling to improve, strengthen and give voice to those who have been marginalized or silenced has directed the career path of licensed clinical social worker Richard Chollar. His dedication to that calling was recognized with an Alumni Citation Award during Homecoming 2006.

Assistant director for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) students in the Office of Diversity Programs and Services at George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Va., Chollar co-created the Campus Safe Zone program at GMU. The program has been in existence five years, and Chollar served as its first coordinator, a position he still holds today.

"We have trained 350 faculty, staff and students as positive allies," Chollar said, explaining that positive allies display the symbol of the "Safe Zone" to advise that they will be understanding, supportive and trustworthy if a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth needs help, advice or just someone with whom they can talk.

"I'm most proud of three things we've accomplished: increasing the skill levels of our positive allies, the increase in our campus resources and of the level of culture shift on campus in that it has become more welcoming to the LGBTQ community," Chollar said.

Chollar's work also involves families experiencing violence, people with addiction, those affected by HIV and all groups of diverse backgrounds. He added that he has always been connected with all systems of oppression as well as liberation, both the negative and the positive forces. His work with HIV prevention remains one of those programs closest to his heart.

As for Wittenberg, Chollar noted positive changes on campus including the university's active social awareness organization, the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA), and the Safe Zone Project. Chollar was also pleased to note that events sponsored by the GSA were included on the Homecoming 2006 program.

"To be welcomed back and appreciated for who I am, it was healing - one of the finest moments of my life."

—Phyllis Eberts ’00