UMass Dartmouth is now accepting nominations for its 10th Annual Drum Major Award to memorialize the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nominations must be received on or before Friday, November 4, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
UMass Dartmouth is now accepting nominations for its 10th Annual Drum Major Award to memorialize the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Nominations must be received on or before Friday, November 4, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.
To obtain a nomination form, visit www.umassd.edu/eeo or contact Yolanda Dennis, MLK Event Coordinator/Diversity Analyst at 508.999.8192.
The Drum Major Award honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions toward realizing Dr. King's dream of equality, social justice, and peace. In one of his more famous sermons, Dr. King said, "...say that I was a drum major for justice...for peace...for righteousness."
The Drum Major Award will be presented at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Friday, February 3, 2012. The award was created by the University to acknowledge the contributions of campus leaders, community leaders and organizations who work diligently to keep Dr. King's dream alive.
In 2011, the 9th Annual Martin Luther King Jr., Drum Major Awards were awarded to Lee Blake, President, New Bedford Historical Society & Director, SouthCoast Education Compact; and Deirdre Healy, Assistant Director, Center for Civic Engagement, UMass Dartmouth.
In 2010, the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr., Drum Major Awards were awarded to Reverend Curtis Dias of Calvary Pentecostal Church and PACE, Inc.
Awardees will designate a charitable organization of their choice, to which a check of $1,000 will be given in their name.
"We look forward to our annual MLK breakfast to celebrate the drum majors for justice and peace in our own community," said Chancellor MacCormack. "We urge people to nominate individuals and organizations for the Drum Major Award who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to keeping Dr. King's dream alive."
"As a University, it is our responsibility to celebrate Dr. King's life and find ways to honor his teachings to encourage and support diversity,'' said Yolanda Dennis of the University's Office of Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Outreach, who is coordinating the event. "This event and the award ceremony keep Dr. King's memory and vision alive and vibrant at UMass Dartmouth and throughout the region."
Specifically, the University is looking for nominations in three categories: members of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth staff or faculty, regional leaders, and regional organizations (corporation, business or group). The nomination criteria are as follows:
Members of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth & Regional Leaders
Sustained effort to promote equal opportunity for all and embrace the image of Dr. King.
Excellence in a field of endeavor, thereby serving as a role model for the disadvantaged or under-represented ethnic and racial groups.
Demonstrate strong and growing commitment to service.
Assist in ensuring equal opportunity and career advancement opportunities for underrepresented ethnic and racial groups.
Organizations (corporation, business or group)
Sustained effort to promote equal opportunity for all and embrace the image of Dr. King.
Encourage the participation of traditionally underrepresented ethnic and racial groups in public service, committees, activities or events.
Design and implement programs that inspire mutual respect, understanding and sensitivity for persons of diverse backgrounds.
Promote and advance mutual respect, understanding and appreciation for cultural and ethnic diversity.