Winners of Eastern’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards
Kendal Exume, a junior from South Norwalk, majoring in business information systems; Imna Arroyo, professor of fine arts; and Darrell Garner, a lifetime civil right activist in Hartford, proudly show their Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards, presented to them during Eastern’s celebration of African American History Month.
The three were recognized for demonstrating distinguished service in promoting the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to further the goals of diversity and social equality. The award is given out each year to a member of Eastern’s faculty or staff, a student, and a community member.
Retired Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender, keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Awards event, told the audience that four cornerstones sustained Dr. King during those turbulent '50s and '60s:
1) Patience
2) Persistence
3) Non-Violence, and
4) Leading a committed life.
Providing Relief to Tsunami Victims in Sri Lanka
21-year-old Azard Mahamoon, a senior from Sri Lanka majoring in biochemistry, sits with medical supplies, clothes and money he raised for victims of the tsunami in his native country. Mahamoon raised more than $2,000 during a three-day vigil in the Sports Lobby to collect relief aid. “I was totally surprised by the amount of aid that was donated, especially since no students were here during intersession. Sri Lanka thanks you for your love, kindness and prayers.” If you’d like to make a contribution, visit:
http://www.lankafood.com/disaster_relief.htm
http://www.helpsl.org/supplies.htm; http://www.helpsl.org/medicine.htm
Acclaimed South African Film Maker Visits Eastern
An enthusiastic audience listened to acclaimed film director Mickey Dube discuss the pos-apartheid state of affairs in South Africa through his groundbreaking feature films and popular commercials. Dube showed clips from “Saints, Sinners and Settlers” and “A Walk in the Night,” films which explore the lingering effects of colonial imperialism in a post-apartheid society. Dube is working on a documentary on the infamous Robben Island Prison in South Africa that once held Nelson Mandela, and is currently open as a museum. The film will feature the Robben Island Singers who visited Eastern in 2002.
Charity Games Benefit Windham Textile and History Museum
Representatives from Eastern Connecticut State University and The Windham Textile and History Museum pose for a photograph as university officials present the museum a check for $1,200. After door receipts, the donation totaled $1,500. The museum, which is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history and heritage of the American textile industry, was named recipient of the proceeds from this year’s President’s Charity Games. The museum serves schoolchildren, college students, the general public and tourists visiting northeastern Connecticut. (Left to right) Umesh Vig, a member of the board of directors for Eastern's Alumni Association; Joyce Wong, director of athletics; Executive Vice President Michael Pernal, representing Eastern President David G. Carter; Beverly York, executive director, Windham Textile and History Museum; Yolanda Negron, chairperson, Board of Directors, Windham Textile and History Museum; and Maureen Mulroy, chairperson for special fundraising for the Windham Textile and History Museum.
The check was presented to museum officials during the break between Eastern’s women’s and men's varsity basketball games with Plymouth State University.
Eastern Students Helping Others
Eastern students Trey Bonggiovanni, Ty Bonggiovanni and Ben O’Brien spent the holidays helping gather toys for children at Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield. Lillian L. Rhodes, director of community relations at Natchaug, said the students represent the best of Eastern. They got a little push from their aunt Kathy Giradi, a proud alumna of Eastern who teaches in Natchaug Hospital’s special education program.
Page 1 2
