Nominations for Distinguished Service Award Due Nov. 12

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University urges faculty and staff to nominate fellow employees for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12.

VSU established the award this year to honor a VSU employee for his or her commitment to the American civil rights leader’s legacy of social and economic justice, educational equality and freedom from oppression.

“The truest way to celebrate Dr. King’s life and philosophy is to highlight someone who has taken King’s principles and incorporated them into his or her daily life,” said Maggie Viverette, director for the Office of Equal Opportunity and Multicultural Affairs. “We have lots of people at this university who truly touch others and aid people in identifying their dreams and maximizing their potential.”

Members of all racial and ethnic groups are eligible to receive this award. Nominees must demonstrate scholarly excellence and a commitment to fostering a diverse campus community. Each nomination packet must include a resume and/or short biography and three letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a person within the nominee’s administrative unit or academic department.

The university will name the award winner at Valdosta State University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, in the University Center Magnolia Room. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker, Herman Boone, an award-winning coach whose life is captured in the movie, “Remember the Titans.” Each year VSU hosts a celebration near the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, which is observed the third Monday of January each year.

For details or questions about the award or celebration, call VSU’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Multicultural Affairs at (229) 333-5463 or e-mail Viverette at mviverette@valdosta.edu.