Illinois Wesleyan University and Neighbor-to-Neighbor Host 11th Annual Minority Academic Achievement Recognition

BLOOMINGTON, Ill — Illinois Wesleyan University and Neighbor-to-Neighbor presented the 11th Annual Minority Academic Achievement Recognition Ceremony Sunday (June 30) at the Shirk Center where more than 400 honor roll students in grades five through 12 from the Bloomington-Normal area were recognized for their acehivements.

A series of community leaders congratulated the students on their work in the classroom during the 2001-2002 academic year. The keynote address was given by Rev. Morsie Williams of Liberty Church in Bloomington. Other special remarks were presented by Willie Brown, senior vice president of State Farm Insurance Company, Henry Bird, president and publisher fo the Pantagraph, and Stephanie Marshall, a 2002 graduate of the University of Illinois who was recognized by the Minority Academic Achievement program throughout her years of grade school, junior high school, and high school.

In addition to Illinois Wesleyan and Neighbor-to-Neighbor (a Bloomington/Normal community organization), the event is supported by State Farm Insurance Companies, The Pantagraph, National City Bank, CEFCU, and Jewel/Osco.

The event will also featured musical selections by Kristin Gregory, a senior English-writing major at Illinois Wesleyan and vocalist with the university’s Jazz Ensemble, and by the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church under the direction of Rev. Frank and Bettye McSwain.

Highlighting the awards ceremony was the presentation of special certificates of achievement to the honor roll students as well as a presentation of special awards to students who have continued their academic success.

A reception followed the awards program.