3/1/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University students recently had the opportunity to enlighten an audience of more than 200 people while sharing their knowledge of prominent humanitarian leaders.
The event was the first Black History Month Multicultural Heroes Hall of Fame Case Competition, which was held Feb. 20. The theme of the competition: "Passing the Torch of Justice."
The event highlighted five teams of three students. Each team had 10 minutes to give a biographical overview of a chosen hero, relate how that person has carried and passed the torch of justice and contributed to the struggle for human rights, explain the relationship between the hero and Black History Month and, ultimately, make a case for why that person should be inducted into the Black History Month Multicultural Hall of Fame.
"This was an excellent opportunity for students to look at how diversity and multiculturalism are a part of everybody's experiences," said Darrell King, assistant director of Multicultural Business Programs and chairperson of the competition. "We want people to realize that although this event is part of Black History Month, black history is not just about black struggle. It's about human struggle."
That is why, King said, the students were given the opportunity to choose from a diverse list of seven well-known humanitarians - Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Robert Kennedy, Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar E. Chavez and Tecumseh - who demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian efforts during his or her lifetime.
A panel of three judges - Paulette Granberry Russell, executive director of the MSU Office of Affirmative Action Compliance and Monitoring; Mike Mazzeo, MSU finance professor and acting associate director for undergraduate programs; and MSU Trustee Dorothy Gonzalez - evaluated the presentations.
The winning team was chosen based on its knowledge of the selected hero, its ability to link the hero to Martin Luther King's ideologies, its presentation skills and its overall presentation, King said.
"In addition to learning more about some important heroes or heroines, the competition also gave students the opportunity to strengthen their self-esteem and communication and presentation skills," he said.
The winning team was awarded a $1,500 prize.
The following is a list of the top presenting group and the other participating teams.
Winning Team
"Men of Distinction"
The team consisted of DeJuan Lever, a sophomore majoring in human resource management from Grand Blanc; Stephen Powell, a junior majoring in finance from Farmington Hills; and Michael Oden, a senior majoring in supply chain management from Detroit. The heroine they highlighted was Mother Teresa.
Participating Teams
"Triumphant Trio"
The team was composed of Kimberly Eure, a freshman majoring in communication from Lansing; Ryan Young, a freshman majoring in general management from Detroit; and Kara Masek, a freshman majoring in psychology from Highland. Their hero was Robert Kennedy.
"Connections"
The team consisted of Katrina Waldron, a junior majoring in supply chain management from Park Forest, Ill.; Kelly Holbel, a junior majoring in accounting from Canton; and Rebecca Cudney, a junior majoring in nursing from Canton. Their presentation was on Gandhi.
"Rainbow"
Team members were Jesus Mallari, a senior majoring in economics from Thornhill, Ontario; Olivia Lawrence, a junior majoring in food management from Mundelein, Ill.; and Surbhi Murgai, a senior majoring in marketing from Okemos. The hero they highlighted was Nelson Mandela.
"The Real Deal"
The team consisted of Destinee Bennion, a sophomore majoring in special education from Rochester; Anja Gettinger, a sophomore majoring in special education from Rochester Hills; and Eric Thielemans, a no preference sophomore from Rochester Hills. Their heroine was Mother Teresa.