[304] MTSU’S BAKARI TO RECEIVE PLEAS AWARD

MTSU’S BAKARI TO RECEIVE PLEAS AWARD
Professor to be Honored for Work in African-American Studies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 10, 2009
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919

(MURFREESBORO)— Dr. Adonijah Bakari, director of Middle Tennessee State University’s African-American Studies Program, will be presented with the John Pleas Faculty Award as part of MTSU’s celebration of African-American History Month. A reception will be held today, Feb. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Tom Jackson Building’s Cantrell Hall on the MTSU campus.
The John Pleas Faculty Award has been presented since 1996 to a minority faculty member who has made significant contributions to the university and community. He or she must have excelled in research, instruction, publications and/or service to the university. The recipient also must have demonstrated a commitment to MTSU’s African-American students.
Dr. John Pleas, the retired MTSU psychology professor for whom the honor was named, will present the award to Bakari during the reception.
“It’s an honor to receive the Pleas Award because it’s such a coveted award among faculty and administrators,” Bakari said.
As the African-American Studies Program director, Bakari has encouraged students to expand their horizons through travel and study abroad. Over the years he has led several groups of students to Senegal, Gambia, Ghana and Cameroon.
Bakari is also a co-founder and member of the Nashville-based Brother-to-Brother, an initiative that seeks to develop male awareness and leadership skills in young men and college students.
Bakari was born and raised in Chicago, Ill. After high school, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry from Tuskegee University, where he began to develop an interest in his African heritage. In search of his true identity, Bakari began taking classes in African and African-American history at Northeastern Illinois University, earning his Master’s Degree in inner-city studies. While a student, Bakari worked for the Center for Inner City Studies, teaching children about black history and eventually raising enough money to fund a trip to Senegal.
“I was so inspired by the activism I encountered at the center that I vowed to dedicate my life to the liberation of black people,” Bakari said. “That trip to Senegal was truly a defining moment in my life, because afterwards I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wanted to teach African history.”
Bakari went on to receive a doctorate in African-American studies from Temple University. His research at Temple focused on the relationship between African religion and the African-American church.

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IN BRIEF: Dr. Adonijah Bakari, director of Middle Tennessee State University’s African-American Studies Program, will be presented with the John Pleas Faculty Award on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 4 to 6 pm in the Tom Jackson building’s Cantrell Hall as part of MTSU’s celebration of African-American History Month. The John Pleas Faculty Award has been presented since 1996 to a minority faculty member who has made significant contributions to the university and community. He or she must have excelled in research, instruction, publications and/or service to the university. The recipient also must have demonstrated a commitment to MTSU’s African-American students.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.


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NOTE: Media are welcome at the reception; Bakari and Pleas will be available for media photos at 3:50 p.m., just preceding the formal presentation ceremony.

For an advance color JPEG of Dr. Bakari, please contact Gina E. Fann in the Office of News and Public Affairs via e-mail at gfann@mtsu.edu or by calling 615-898-5385.

If you use this release in this entirety, please credit Claire Rogers, a senior majoring in advertising/public relations.

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