Dr. Barbara Bekis Will Receive MLK Human Rights Award April 5
For release: April 2, 2004
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey

The University of Memphis will present Dr. Barbara Bekis with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Award at a ceremony Monday, April 5, at 12:30 p.m. in the University Center Faulkner Lounge.

The award recognizes an individual whose activities exemplify non-violent leadership in the pursuit of social justice and human rights.

Bekis is coordinator of the U of M's Educational Support Program (ESP) and supervisor for Supplemental Instruction and the ESP Tutor Core. She joined the University as a part-time employee in 1982 and went full-time in 1988, when she became the first ESP learning specialist.

A graduate of Georgetown College, Bekis earned master's and doctoral degrees in education from the U of M. She has taught at the high school and college levels.

One nominator wrote that Bekis, through her behaviors and actions, represents the ideals and morals to which Dr. King dedicated his life. "The seeds she plants contribute to a better community, a better way of life, and a better understanding of the world," the nominator wrote. "She recognizes that all people dream, and that dreams do come true with hard work and dedication."

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship will also be presented at the ceremony. This year's recipient is Gizelle K. Anderson, a sophomore biology major.

Students from the U of M's Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music will perform scenes from The Promise, which is based on King's life. The opera was written by Dr. John Baur, professor of music at the University.

The event is sponsored by African and African-American Studies and the Office of Diversity. To reserve a space at the presentation, or for more information, call 678-3550.

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