| Nominations for North Carolina A&T State University’s 2017 Human Rights Medal are currently being accepted through Nov. 4.
The award is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on correcting social injustices and other humanitarian activities that include human welfare, acts of heroism, dedication to technological discovery, academic advancements or contributions, social reform, promotion of fellowship, diplomatic endeavors and community contributions.
The annual Human Rights Medal is presented in honor of the selfless and exceptional stand against social injustice by the A&T Four – Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin Eugene McCain, Joseph Alfred McNeil and David Richmond Jr. – who courageously and peacefully “sat-in” at the whites-only lunch counter at Woolworth’s on Feb. 1, 1960. The students’ actions sparked similar sit-ins across the state and country.
Nominations for the prestigious award are not limited to individuals within the N.C. A&T campus community. Anyone can nominate and be nominated as a potential honoree. The winner will be selected by the University Awards committee, notified in December and invited to accept the award at the Sit-In Anniversary Breakfast on Feb. 1, 2017. Honoree(s) must also be able to accept the award in person and agree to give a lecture at a mutually agreed upon campus event.
Past medal recipients include civil rights leader and U.S. Representative John Lewis; activist and community leaders Rev. Nelson and Joyce Johnson; Rep. Melvin “Mel” Watt and civil rights activist Lewis Brandon III.
Additional information about the award, eligibility and nomination forms are available online. Questions and comments may be addressed to Vicki Coleman at vcoleman@ncat.edu, chairwoman of the University Awards and Convocation Planning Committee. |
