Mississippi Valley State University's president Lester C. Newman has received the 2006 Presidential Award for outstanding leadership.
Newman was presented with one of the highest honors during the 48th annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference held in Dayton, Ohio, July 28-Aug. 2.
"This award is given for outstanding leadership in the struggle for economic justice through the political process," said SCLC president Charles Steele Jr., who added that Newman is a champion of improving the lives of African Americans through his leadership in higher education.
The award is bestowed by the SCLC president for meritorious service and special help given to the president.
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition by an organization such as the SCLC," said Newman.
"I am also very excited about the opportunities that will be provided to students in the Delta and around the world as a result of our new conflict management program and the partnership that Valley has established with this historic organization," said president Newman.
In June, MVSU signed partnership papers with the SCLC to establish the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. conflict resolution center in Ivrea, Italy. The center is designed to train citizens, police, teachers and community leaders how to solve disputes without violence.
