Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges, has been selected for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Award by the Town of Paradise Valley. Each year, the selection committee chooses an individual to receive the honor, a tradition since 2000. Past winners include a nationally known civil rights activist, local faith community leaders, international service organization founders, and government officials who have exemplified Dr. King’s vision and work.

Keeping with annual tradition, the award will be given on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 20, 2014) during a ceremony and luncheon at the Paradise Valley Town Hall. Historically, the program’s goal is to bring together Paradise Valley residents who are involved in advocacy and philanthropy through a wide variety of community, national and international causes congruent with Dr. King’s vision.

“I am honored to receive this recognition,” said Chancellor Glasper.
“In a 1948 address at Morehouse College, Dr. King said, ‘the function of education…is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate.’ If he were alive today, I think Dr. King would be pleased at the progress we have made in helping our students achieve a complete education…one that includes academic, cultural, athletic, and social enrichment.”