Arkansas MLK event honoring five for 'greatness'

A Fayetteville, Arkansas, banquet dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. will also reward five people with "Salute to Greatness" awards and 21 students with scholarships.

The 21st Annual Recommitment Banquet is scheduled for Jan. 16 and sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council.

The “Greatness” awards include a shared lifetime achievement honor for Dr. Hershey Garner and his wife, Denise Garner; an individual achievement award for Police Capt. Gary Crain; a young adult honor for educator Terrence Boyd; and posthumous honors for Cheryl Jumper Colbert, who was an elementary and preschool teacher.

Old Buildings LLC, owned by Ted and the Rev. Leslie Beldent, also will receive a business/nonprofit award.

Ten seniors from Northwest Arkansas High School will receive college scholarships, as will 11 students at the University of Arkansas.

“The Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Council members are ecstatic to have the opportunity to present 21 scholarships in order to further the academic success and assist in financing our leaders of tomorrow,” said council President Angela Mosley Monts. “In the first year of the Recommitment Banquet, we were able to award two scholarships. The growth of this event and the community support we have received over the past 21 years have made all the difference.”

Cynthia Nance, a retired University of Arkansas dean and law professor, will give the keynote address.