Morris Brown College Hosts 2011 Tower of Strength Awards Gala‏ Friday Night

Morris Brown College celebrates a “New Era” and 130 years of continuous service in educating students with its fourth annual Tower of Strength Awards Gala Friday evening. The black-tie occasion was a “Circle of Friends” fundraising event for Morris Brown College student scholarships. 

"This year’s Tower of Strength Awards brings a special significance for the college,” said . "We have come to a crossroads in the life of Morris Brown and we are certain that we chose the right path towards becoming a model of educational leadership with a bright and glorious future.”

The 2011 Honorees included:

The Bishop Henry McNeil Turner Award for Distinguished Achievement in Religion was presented to  , Senior Pastor of . In August, Morris Brown College received a $22,000 check from Cascade United Methodist Church to help complete a settlement of the debt owed to the U.S. Education Department.

The Oscar Burnett Award for Distinguished Achievement in Business was presented to , President and CEO of First Class, Inc., a public relations agency that has worked with Morris Brown during their turn-around plans. 

The Charles L. Harper/Ann S. Cochran Award for Distinguished Achievement in Education was presented to; President and CEO of the Atlanta Life Financial Group;  

The Griffin /Hightower/Billings Award for Distinguished Achievement in Science was presented to Gloria Long Anderson, Ph.D., Vice President of academic affairs at Morris Brown and a Fuller Calloway Professor of chemistry; and Willie F. Payne, retired Professor of biology at Morris Brown College. 

The G. Johnson Hubert/Cleophas R. Johnson Award for Distinguished Achievement in Music went to Darius Devon Paulk, a 2011 graduate of Morris Brown College, and the grammy award winning song writer who penned “Nobody Greater."

In the audience for this evening’s festivities were approximately forty (40) students whose presence was made possible through the sponsorship of John C. Portman and John Portman & Associates.

Host for 2011 Tower of Strength Gala was Aungelique Proctor, an award-winning television journalist with WAGA TV- Fox5 News.  Representing the new Morris Brown College Foundation was John F. Wymer III, Esq., who brought greetings for the occasion. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Phillippa , a Neo Soul phenomenon and Che Marshall & The Cocktail Hour.

Jacqueline Pollard, Ph.D., Chair of the Tower of Strength Gala said, “The hard work that all of us do for Morris Brown College is a labor of love and this year’s gala was simply that best because we honored individuals who have given so much to this great institution.  We are overjoyed with the participation of our corporate sponsors, friends and alumni.  We are thankful for every contribution made and the incredible spirit and generosity shown during the past year.”