On Monday, Oct. 28, Kyle Bennett was given the 2024 Keepers of the Flame Award on the PennWest California Campus.
Bennett, a senior from Trinidad and Tobago majoring in mechatronics engineering technology, is the first student on the PennWest California campus to win the Keeper of the Flame.
“I feel really honored and blown away and it ignited my spark to keep moving forward and validate my work and purpose,” Bennett said. “It made me feel like I’m following the right path and should keep going.”
The Keeper of the Flame is “an award that acknowledges someone who is making or has made longstanding contributions to the university that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Rogers J. Laugand III, the Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Student Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Kyle has his own definition of what the award means to him.
“It means standing up for people and making a better place for everyone with different backgrounds,” Bennett said. “Making sure everyone is warmed by the fire of the flame and feels welcomed.”
The Keeper of the Flame is awarded to anyone who is an employee—past or present—alum, or community stakeholder and nominated by the university community’s staff, students, and faculty. Then, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion decides who is selected to win the award.
Keepers of the Flame Award recipients are based on several criteria. This can include serving as a mentor to students and employees, cultivating meaningful relationships with people across the university, committing to service in the university and its surrounding communities, being welcoming and open to diverse groups of people, being a change-agent who inspires and engages in initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at the university and in its surrounding communities.
Evidently, Bennett has met this criteria.
“Through his selflessness and genuine commitment, Kyle has fostered a campus environment where students of diverse backgrounds feel welcomed and empowered,” Laugand III said.
Bennett participates in many campus clubs, like gaming, international, cosplaying, and fencing. He even threw his hat into the rings of Homecoming Court. Unfortunately, he did not win, but he did make it to the Top 10 Homecoming candidates.
“Kyle has shown exceptional engagement and leadership at our school through his involvement in various student organizations and clubs,” Laugand III said. “He has actively contributed to the Student Government, and International Club, and co-founded the Theatre’s Costume Club. Additionally, Kyle has held executive roles on the boards of the Fencing, Medieval, and Gaming Clubs. His commitment extends to his work as a campus tour guide, where he introduces new students to our school’s diverse clubs, academic offerings, and the broader community,”
With his win, Kyle is grateful for the people who helped him and nominated him for this award.
“I would like to thank everyone who had helped me and everyone I have touched with my work and commitment,” Bennett said. “I would like to remind everyone that you have a flame and the best way to keep it lit is to share it with others,”
