By Mike Greife,
December 18, 2015
WARRENSBURG - Tickets remain available for the University of Central Missouri’s annual
Freedom Scholarship dinner, planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. in the Elliott
Union ballroom. The event is the highlight of the university’s 2016 Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. celebration.
Tickets for the dinner will be available by contacting the UCM Office of Mentoring,
Advocacy, and Peer Support at 660-543-4156, or the Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber
of Commerce at 100 S. Holden. Tickets may be purchased at the Bronze Level for $50,
Silver Level for $75, or the Gold Level at $100. Table sponsorships also are available.
Kansas City educator Cynthia “Mama J” Johnson, a Warrensburg native, will be keynote
speaker for the event. She will bring her “Message of Hope” to the event, sharing
her experiences as a child who struggled with a speech impediment, learning disabilities
and difficulty reading. She credits her faith, hope and determination with helping
her succeed as an educator. She draws on her experiences as an educator, advocate,
researcher, author, vocalist and entrepreneur to help other dispel myths about poor
and minority youth by empowering students and adults to achieve their highest potential.
Proceeds from the event fund the Freedom Scholarships presented annually to high school
and UCM students. During the past 18 years, nearly $200,000 has been raised through
the Freedom Scholarship Dinner and sponsorships, providing more than 200 Freedom scholarships
for area high school and UCM students. The recipients of the 2015 Freedom Scholarships
will be honored at 2016 event.
Additional events planned for the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration include:
The MLK Community Service Award Luncheon, in conjunction with the Greater Warrensburg
Area Chamber of Commerce, at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at The Crosseyed Cricket
restaurant, Warrensburg.
The Community Praise and Worship Service, planned for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18, in
the UCM Alumni chapel.
The MLK Issues Forums, planned for Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the Elliott Student Union.
The MLK Day of Service on Jan. 20
The MLK Community Service Blood Drive Jan. 21-22 in the Elliott Student Union.
For more information about the UCM 201 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, visit
ucmo.edu/maps/mlk.
