Eastern to Present Martin Luther King Jr. Awards

Written by Emily Bonoyer

  Willimantic, Conn. - Eastern Connecticut State University will present Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards to three deserving individuals as part of the university's celebration of African American History Month. The ceremony will take place on Feb. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library. The public is invited. Admission is free.

            The award recognizes members of the campus and local community whose actions demonstrate distinguished service in promoting King's ideals to further the goals of diversity and social equality. Awards will be given to a member of the community; a member of the Eastern faculty/staff; and to an Eastern student.

            The awards acknowledge distinguished service in one or more of three categories: activities that represent a commitment to the goals of an integrated society, including activities beyond one's work obligations; leadership in a program serving the needs of a diverse community, with efforts reflecting an attempt to unify groups and or to increase sensitivity; and planning and implementation of programs to broaden representation of underrepresented groups as students and employees.

            Star Parker, a prominent author and columnist who serves as a commentator and analyst on major television and radio programs across the country, including CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News, will be the guest speaker. Parker debated Jesse Jackson on BET; fought for school choice on Larry King Live; and defended welfare reform on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She is also the author of "Uncle Sam's Plantation: How Big Government Enslaves America's Poor and What We Can Do About It." Entertainment will be provided by Aston's Caribbean Trio.