Owens, Rhea receive Spectrum Awards

Congratulations to Grayson Owens, OTD, OTR/L, and Keegan Rhea, OTD/S ’26, who received Spectrum Awards from WashU on April 23. The awards celebrate many forms of LGBTQIA+ leadership, including artistic expression, trailblazing activism, academic exploration, dedication to education, demonstrated commitment to intersectionality, relationship- and bridge-building and emerging leadership.

Owens was honored with the Sylvia Rivera & Marsha P. Johnston Activism Award, which recognizes an individual who takes action in the face of injustice and stands up for their ideals. The award seeks to honor the trailblazing work from which future positive change may be made. “I am incredibly honored to be selected for this award, and it means a great deal to me that a whole team of colleagues and friends nominated me for this award. I hope to inspire others to continue to be their authentic selves,” Owens said.

Rhea was honored with the Audre Lorde Academic Exploration Award, which recognizes an individual committed to using their academic work for the empowerment of LGBTQIA+ communities and individuals. This award particularly seeks to honor individuals who exemplify leadership through self, bringing themselves into their academics and using academics as a space for personal exploration and community development.