Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte honored for contributions to Latinx community

Rodrigo Martinez-Duarte, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, is being recognized for his continuous contributions to the Latinx community at Clemson University.

Martinez-Duarte recently won the Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Impact Award in the faculty/staff category.

The award comes from a committee that organizes a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latinx heritage at Clemson and “recognizes the contributions of individuals who have positively enhanced the campus climate for the Hispanic and Latinx community in Clemson and beyond.”

Martinez-Duarte serves as chair of Clemson’s Day of the Dead celebration, the University’s Commission on Latino Affairs and the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences Committee on Global Engagement. He is also advisor to the Clemson chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Martinez-Duarte was among four winners honored in an Oct. 16 ceremony that coincided with the end of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15 each year.

Vicente Sanchez won in the undergraduate category, Amanda Arroyo Santamaria won in the graduate student category and Maria Torres-Green, chair of the Anderson County Latinx Advisory Council, received the Community Award.

The committee that grants the awards works through Clemson’s Gantt Multicultural Center and the Division of Inclusion and Equity.

“I congratulate all of this year’s winners and thank them for their service to the community,” said Julio Hernandez, Clemson’s assistant vice president for inclusive excellence and executive director for Hispanic outreach.

“Their leadership is providing new opportunities for Hispanic and Latinx faculty, students and staff to reach their full potential while providing new opportunities to share in our rich heritage. Each award is well deserved.”
Oliver Myers, the associate dean of inclusion and equity in the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, said Martinez-Duarte’s award is well deserved.

“His leadership is playing a crucial role in promoting Hispanic and Latinx heritage at Clemson University and beyond,” Myers said. “The programs he leads are empowering students, faculty and staff and encouraging the community to learn about the rich diversity of culture at Clemson. Better understanding of each other’s cultures helps us work together and creates a campus atmosphere welcoming to all.”