FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, January 4, 2010

Contact:  Robert Preston, Jr.,
              912.260.4276
              robert.preston@sgc.edu

South Carolina Educator to Speak at SGC’s Martin
Luther King Day Celebration

Mark Joseph, the Teacher of the Year at Westcliffe Elementary School in Greenville, S.C., will serve as the keynote speaker at South Georgia College’s annual Martin Luther King Day celebration, which will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 12:30 p.m. inside the Peterson Hall Art Gallery.

Mark is a product of the acclaimed “Call Me MISTER” program, which encourages African-American men in South Carolina to become teachers. According to The Black Collegian Online, less than one percent (fewer than 200) of South Carolina’s 20,300 elementary school teachers are African-American men. The program began as a partnership between Clemson University and three historically black colleges in South Carolina (Benedict College, Claflin University and Morris College). The first class of MISTERs graduated in May of 2004.

Mark, who earned his Bachelor’s degree from Claflin University in 2004, credits the MISTER program with leading him to the field of education. He is currently working on his Master’s in administration and supervision at Clemson. Mark has held numerous positions with the South Carolina Education Association, as well as with the National Education Association. His empowerment philosophy is drawn from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Mark’s mission is to foster leadership, and to motivate and inspire all of his students to become effective leaders and productive citizens in the 21st Century.

The theme for the program is “The Dream Lives On.” In addition to Mark Joseph’s remarks, Wendell Carswell, Eva Contreras, and Dr. Carl McDonald will also speak. The SGC chorus will perform, and Rachel Terrell will serve as emcee for the event. The public is invited to attend this celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. There is no charge for admission.
 

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.