Wright State helped in starting Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame

[Source :www.theguardianonline.com, Tuesday, September 22, 2009 ]

Wright State University partnered with Honda Manufacturing of America Inc. and The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to induct the inaugural class of the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame on Thursday, Sept 10.

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and several members of WSU’s administration and faculty were in attendance.

According to Michael Bernstein PhD, assistant dean of the Raj Soin College of Business, the organizations worked with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to create the hall of fame to honor those in Ohio who have made significant contribution to the progression of Civil Rights movement.

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has worked with William Slonaker PhD, and the late Ann Wendt, faculty members in the college of business, to create a database of cases which have been heard by the commission on campus for the purpose of public hearings.

“I went to a luncheon a while back with the commission to represent Ann and the idea of a hall of fame was proposed by Michael Payton, the commission’s executive director,” said Bernstein. 

Bernstein and Berkwood Farmer, PhD, dean of the college of business, took to the idea to WSU’s President Hopkins and Provost Steven Angle and soon the university became involved.

Criteria for nominations and plans for induction ceremony were made by Bernstein and individuals representing the other organizations, who make up a committee known as the steering committee.

Over 50 individuals from across the state were nominated for the inaugural class including Toni Morrison and C.J. McLin who were nominated by WSU. 

“The committee decided we wanted to narrow it down to the top ten this time.  In the future were might have more and we might have less.  It just depends on the nominations,” he said.

After deciding on a top ten the committee sent them to Governor Strickland for approval. Although he had the power to make changes Strickland approved everyone in the committee’s top ten. 

President Hopkins spoke at the event and made the comment that he was in awe of those being honored.  A display recognizing the inaugural class has been created and will have a permanent home at WSU.

The steering committee has begun the process of continuing an annual ceremony and will be accepting nominations for the 2010 class of the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame soon. 

In order to nominate someone you must fill out the nomination form found on the Ohio Civil Rights Commission website at  http://crc.ohio.gov/, write a letter of recommendation and get at least three other people to write letters in support of that person’s nomination.

“I encourage students to nominate any person or organization they feel is worthy.  The committee hasn’t determined whether the nominee has to a person or not yet,” said Bernstein.

Bernstein also encourages students to come the next public hearing held on campus with Civil Rights Commission in the srping of 2010. 

Ohio Civil Rights Inguaguaral Hall of Fame Class

 William F. Bowen
 Rev Joan Brown Campbell
 Robert M. Duncan
 Ruth Gonzales de Garcia
 Rev. Bruce Klumder
 *C.J. McLin Jr.
 *Toni Morrison
 Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
 Carl B. Stokes
 George Washington Williams