Nominations are being sought for the 2012 North Carolina A&T State University Human Rights Medal. The deadline to submit materials is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

Established to recognize individuals who have endeavored to correct social injustice and have significantly contributed to the betterment of the world, the award honors individuals whose courageous actions are a reflection of the extraordinary action against social injustice that was demonstrated on Feb. 1, 1960, by four A&T freshmen – Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin Eugene McCain, Joseph Alfred McNeil and David Richmond Jr. The Greensboro Four (also known as the A&T Four) led a group of students to take a stand for justice by sitting down at the segregated lunch counter of the F.W. Woolworth Store in downtown Greensboro. This action began a wave of similar sit-ins by college students across the South.

Candidates for this award are selected from nominations submitted to the Committee for Awards, Honorary Degrees and Founders/Honors Day. Committee membership is appointed by the chancellor from N.C. A&T faculty and staff. The committee adheres to the criteria listed below when reviewing candidates. Following the committee’s review, the chair sends recommendations to the chancellor, who announces the honoree.

Eligibility

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Human Rights Medal is presented to an individual who has had a positive impact on correcting social injustices and other humanitarian activities. Other humanitarian activities might include human welfare and social reform, acts of heroism, promotion of fellowship, dedication to technological discovery, academic advancements or contributions, diplomatic endeavors, and community contributions.

Nominees for the Human Rights Medal are evaluated according to actions demonstrated by the individual and the scope of his or her contribution within the community.

Any outstanding individual who has had a positive impact on humanity is eligible to receive this award for one or more of the following reasons: correcting social injustice, heroism, promotion of fellowship, technological discovery, academic contributions, diplomatic achievements, human welfare, social reform, and/or significant community contributions.

Anyone may nominate. The nominator should include clear and complete contact information for herself/himself. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct.28. Forward all entries to the following address:

Committee for Awards and Honorary Degrees
c/o Office of the Dean of Technology
Smith Hall, Room 2004
1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411

For complete details and application forms, call (336) 334-7940.

The winner will be notified in December and invited to accept the award at the Sit-In Anniversary Breakfast marking the 52nd anniversary of the start of Greensboro’s sit-in movement, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. The recipient must be able to accept the award in person at the Sit-In Anniversary Breakfast and give a lecture at a mutually agreed upon campus event.

The School of Nursing and the Mu Tau Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International will host their 14th annual Research Day, Friday, Oct. 7, 8 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Howard Allen Chubbs Family Enrichment Center in Greensboro, N.C. The theme is “Embracing Power, Passion and Pride in Healthcare.”

The program will emphasize practical, innovative and timely research that impacts healthcare in local, state, national and international arenas. Bettye P. Dennis, chair of the Department of Nursing at North Carolina Central University and N.C. A&T alumna, is the keynote speaker. There is a fee to attend.

Abstracts for podium and poster presentations on nursing health services—with a focus on translational research and evidence based projects—are being sought. To submit an abstract, visit www.son.ncat.edu by Friday, Sept. 16.

For more information, contact Sandra Blackstock, assistant professor of nursing, via email at slblacks@ncat.edu.