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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated a faculty member, a staff member and a student with awards during part two of its 38^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, held virtually on Friday, Jan. 29 and hosted by SIUE’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI). The theme for the two-part celebration was one of King’s prolific quotes: “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.” 

Gertrude Pannirselvam, PhD, associate professor in the School of Business Department of Management and Marketing, and SIUE Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF) core council member, received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for Faculty. She was nominated by Anthony Vatterott, PhD, visiting assistant professor in the School of Business. 

Kelley Brooks, Office of Admissions assistant director for campus visits and outreach, and SIUE alumna, won the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award for Staff. She was nominated by Todd Burrell, director of undergraduate admissions. 

Armon Adkins, a junior majoring in exercise science, received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, which entails free tuition for the fall semester after receiving the award. He was selected from a total of 21 applicants. 

“Each year, the SIUE community recognizes Dr. King’s birthday as a prelude to our Black Heritage Month, and we honor the life and legacy of a man who dedicated his life to bringing hope and healing to America,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “Dr. Timothy Lewis gave us a call to action in the first part of our Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration, and today we will hear about people in our community who have been stepping up to those calls for action.” 

“I absolutely enjoy every opportunity I have had to serve my SIUE colleagues,” said Pannirselvam, who has worked at the University for more than 25 years. “The Diversity Council is probably where I grew the most, with honest conversation that enhanced my approach to work. The work of SIUE’s Anti-Racism Task Force gives me the most contentment and hope. We had honest and difficult conversations about institutionalized racism, and we saw the need for change from a system’s perspective.  

“My biggest takeaway from Dr. King is the idea of continuous struggle and never giving up the fight. Dr. King said, ‘We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.’  Honoring Dr. King aligns perfectly with SIUE’s continuous improvement perspective – which is reimagining what we can be and knowing there is a lot more space to improve and grow.” 

In looking at ways that Brooks is most pleased to have had the opportunity to serve SIUE during her 13 year-tenure, she replied, “The Chicago Bus Tour was the first of its kind, created to provide minority students from the Chicago area a chance to see our campus. I created this program in 2008, and it continues to be one of the highest yielding recruitment programs for the University. Many minority students have attended the bus tour and have gone on to graduate and become successful SIUE alumni.” 

Of Dr. King, Brooks commented, “I respect and admire that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Christian and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind about the injustices of the world. He wasn’t afraid to attack racism during a time in our country where his life was at danger for doing so. Most of all, I admire that his dream and legacy continue to live on through individuals all over the world, who believe in advancing civil rights through nonviolence.” 

A grateful Adkins gave remarks about being the 2021 scholarship recipient, and thanked his family, SIUE mentors and community who support him in his academic career and life goals. “With this scholarship money, I plan on continuing my education at SIUE. My plan is to enroll in a doctoral program for the profession of chiropractic,” he said. “I also plan on being a better version of myself, which includes having faith, remaining steadfast amid adversity, utilizing my position and influence to empower others, and shift a space/culture into a new paradigm. 

“Dr. King chose to take on the fight of racial injustice. He knew it was not an easy one, but one that carried the credible possibility of death. Yet, his service to the cause of racial equality for Blacks did not waver despite controversy and imprisonment. After his death, Dr. King’s contributions made an impact on the culture of a nation that would be renowned for generations to come.” 

“Our mission at SIUE is to shape a changing world, but it is also to do right,” remarked Pembrook. “Last fall, the University was recognized for the seventh consecutive year with the Higher Education in Excellence and Diversity (HEED) Award, which is a national honor. SIUE is extremely proud of the recognition, and the fact that it acknowledges community that cares for and about each other. There is much to be celebrated, but as always there is much yet to be done. SIUE will continue doing for others and through that, we will strengthen our community, and thereby, honor and promote Dr. King’s legacy.” 

Photos:
Gertrude Pannirselvam, PhD, associate professor in the School of Business Department Management and Marketing and SIUE Anti-Racism core council member. 

Kelley Brooks, Office of Admissions assistant director for campus visits and outreach. 

Armon Adkins, a junior majoring in exercise science.