CONWAY, S.C., April 16 -- Coastal Carolina University issued the following news release: The Coastal Inspirational Ambassadors, Coastal Carolina University's student gospel choir, will host a Gospel Extravaganza at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 25 in Kimbel Arena/Williams-Brice Recreation Center. The event is free and open to the public. Other groups scheduled to perform include Francis Marion University's Young Gifted and Black, Furman University's Gospel Ensemble and others. Performances  more

LEWISTON, Maine, April 16 -- Bates College issued the following news release: As Bates College begins a yearlong celebration of the 25th anniversary of its Edmund S. Muskie Archives, two panel discussions in May examine topics close to the late U.S. Sen. Muskie and to the college itself. Muskie, a member of the college's class of 1936, was a Maine governor, U.S. senator and U.S. secretary of state whose achievements included landmark environmental legislation. The changing meanings of Eart  more

FORT VALLEY, Ga., April 13 -- Fort Valley State University issued the following news release: Every young person will face a fork in the road at some point on their journey to success. It always helps to get advice from a mentor or a knowledgeable person who has already walked that path. Next week, Fort Valley State University will hold a motivational program for students that features classroom speakers who are FVSU alums and and accomplished African-American college graduates. The Ralph P.   more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- The National Council of La Raza issued the following news release: Janet Murguia, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, today joined her colleagues in the civil rights community in expressing deep appreciation for the enduring legacy of the Reverend Benjamin L. Hooks, former leader of the NAACP, who passed away today at the age of 85. "We express our condole  more

RICHMOND, Va., April 16 -- Virginia Commonwealth University issued the following news release: This year, the winners of the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment were motivated by far more than a desire to promote diversity. In his or her own way, each of the recipients has been striving for social justice and change during the past year. Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., praised each of the recipients' efforts to both bring about social   more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement by Commissioner Michael J. Copps: With the passing of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, the Federal Communications Commission and the country at large have lost a true trailblazer. Dr. Hooks - a lawyer, a Baptist minister, a civil rights leader, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient - served as the FCC's first African-American Commissioner from 1972 to 1977. Through his leadership, his conviction and his  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- The Federal Communications Commission issued the following statement by Chairman Julius Genachowski: "The nation lost a great leader today in the passing of civil rights champion and former FCC Commissioner Benjamin L. Hooks. His historic appointment as the first African-American Commissioner forever changed the FCC, reminding us of our mission to promote the interests of all Americans. "During his five-year tenure at the FCC in the early 1970s, Mr. Hooks worked tir  more

LARAMIE, Wyo., April 16 -- The University of Wyoming issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal will be among speakers during University of Wyoming commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday, May 7-8. Ceremonies for the individual colleges are scheduled Saturday, May 8; College of Law ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 15; and UW/Casper College Center ceremonies are scheduled for Thursday, May 13. UW is scheduled to accord degrees upon m  more