20th Annversary Starks Dinner Reaches New Heights

Nearly 600 people filled the grand ballroom of the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis on February 19 2007, to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Henry Logan Starks and salute four outstanding honorees. The event marked the 20 th anniversary of the scholarship dinner.

Dr. Robert Stan Wood, MTS Associate Academic Dean, received the Seminary’s Outstanding African-American Alumni Award. Civil Rights Pioneers Dr. Vasco and Mrs. Maxine Smith were the recipients of the prestigious Henry Logan Starks Distinguished Service Award, and International Recording Artist Mr. Kirk Whalum received the Seminary’s first President’s Humanitarian Award.

Honorary Co-Chairs, Mrs. Frances Hooks and Rabbi Micah Greenstein, along with MTS President, Dr. Daniel J. Earheart-Brown, presented awards. They were joined by executives of sponsoring organizations -- Mrs. Beverly Robertson, president of the National Civil Rights Museum; Mr. Gary Shorb, President and CEO of Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare; and Mr. Marc Willis, CEO of Soulsville USA. Additional dinner sponsors were Comcast and FedEx.

Dr. Bettye Alston, an MTS alumna and a founder of the dinner, was saluted for her leadership and faithfulness. Dr. Alston was one of the many mentored by Dr. Starks in his role as pastor, faculty member and community leader.

(From left to right ) Beverly Robertson, R. Stan Wood, Micah Greenstein and Mayor A C Wharton		(From left to right ) Gary Shorb, Vasco Smith, Maxine Smith, Frances Hooks and Mayor A C Wharton
Photo by Tyrone Easley (copyright protected) (From left to right ) Mayor A C Wharton, Marc Willis, Kirk Whalum and Jay Earheart-Brown

A Special Thank You to the 2007 Presenting Dinner Sponsors