By Laurie D. Willis

Livingstone College News Service

SALISBURY – The 15th Annual “A Service in Celebration of Livingstone College Leaders Hall of Fame,” which honors successful leaders by recognizing their unwavering commitment and service to others while benefitting The United Negro College Fund, is being held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the former Holiday Inn on Jake Alexander Boulevard. The reception begins at 6 p.m.

The event is one of the main fundraisers sponsored by Livingstone College to raise money for UNCF and is put on by the institution’s UNCF Committee. Tickets for the event are $150 for reserved seating and $100 for general seating and can be purchased at the door.

The people being honored on Thursday have demonstrated qualities of servant leaders and have worked tirelessly in their communities as well as in their respective professions. Thursday’s honorees are Sandra Smith Baker, the Rev. Carolyn D. Bratton, Clara Tyson Carson, Levonia M. Corry, the Rev. George Erwin, Sr., Barbara M. Freeman, the Rev. Herbert Grant, the Rev. Mildred B. Hines, Richard P. Johnson, Annissa G. McCaskill, the Rev. Dr. Daran H. Mitchell, Marsha D. Pruitt, Georgia M. Thompson and Charlotte N. Umoja.

The annual event draws people from the Midwest and Southeastern United States and is always well-attended.

“We look forward to hosting this event every year to help raise money for UNCF, an organization that means so much to so many deserving students,” said Livingstone’s UNCF Director Deborah F. Johnson. “Without the assistance of UNCF, many deserving students would not have the opportunity to attend college, and some would not be able to graduate. The importance of UNCF cannot be understated. Their slogan, ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,’ isn’t just a catchy phrase but instead is true. I anticipate having a room full of attendees Thursday night because people throughout North Carolina and beyond are cognizant of the relevance of UNCF and the need to continue supporting it.”

Radio personality Beatrice Thompson of Charlotte will emcee on Thursday at the awards banquet.

For more information, call Johnson at 704.216.6118 or email her at djohnso@livingstone.edu.