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'Woman of the Year' commits to service, inspiration

Last month, when it was announced that UA art history professor Mikelle Smith Omari-Tunkara would be honored as Delta Sigma Theta sorority's "Woman of the Year," she wasn't there.

Omari-Tunkara was out doing what landed her the honor in the first place - committing herself to Tucson's youth, said friend and fellow sorority sister, Hannah Harrison.

"They select the Woman of the Year for what they have contributed and sacrificed and how much they have worked with the sorority," said Harrison, adding that Omari-Tunkara often works beyond the call of duty without pay.

"She does it repeatedly - it's like getting dressed to go to work for her," Harrison said.

The award is given annually by Delta Sigma Theta - a public service sorority - for community outreach.

Harrison said Omari-Tunkara is also active in Delta Academy - a program dedicated to helping at-risk middle school students consider the possibility of higher education.

Fellow sorority sisters said Omari-Tunkara is wholly deserving of the award because she has committed more than 30 years to her sorority and to students from kindergarten to college.

"She's phenomenal as a person, as a faculty fellow, as a professor and as a sorority sister," said Tamara White, director of UA's Manzanita-Mohave Residence Hall.

"In all those different areas she does wonderful work and she is very dedicated so I think she is very well deserving of the award," White said.

Omari-Tunkara attended school in Illinois and California before coming to teach at the University of Arizona.

Omari-Tunkara's close friends said they see her boundless and courageous spirit through her efforts to create optimum performance from her students and smiles on the faces of at-risk students.

Aileen Bell, art history graduate student, said Omari-Tunkara stands out above many other professors because she unselfishly provides her time to ensure students leave her class with open minds.

"She wants to challenge your perceptions," Bell said. "She taught me to see the beauty in these objects and it comes with her making us aware of the richness of our cultures."

Bell added that Omari-Tunkara's teachings "helped me to understand that art can be of the moment" and that it need not be permanent to be valuable.

Like Bell, Alex Wright, director of African American Student Affairs, agreed that Omari-Tunkara's love for art, her work and her role as an educator are evident in her actions and her attitude.

"She's a wise person who knows the art of conversation and is open to learning," Wright said. "She's always willing to acknowledge she can learn from people because she is a very humble person."

Her daughter, Amma Omari, said Omari-Tunkara continually gives encouragement and support without exhaustion because of her undying passion for her work.

"She's always been happy because she loves what she's doing," said Omari, 21. "She would teach for free, and that's taught me that I have to love my occupation."

Others have noticed that Omari-Tunkara does not limit her support to her own household.

"All of my experiences with Dr. Omari (Tunkara) are positive," said Greg Ziebell, assistant director of Residence Life. "She's a high energy, enthusiastic and marvelous person to deal with."

Ziebell added that "everybody is unique but I think what makes her so wonderful is her intense desire to develop relationships with students."

The evidence, he said, is in the residence hall events she coordinates, her close knit relationship with the African-American cultural center and her accessibility.

"I think Woody Allen was quoted saying 80 percent of success is showing up and that is so much of being a faculty fellow," he said. "Just being there in time and effort helps students feel comfortable, so I think that's a terrific recognition for all of her hard work as a scholar and as a faculty fellow."