Jan. 22, 2018 — The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership Breakfast drew hundreds of community members to Collin College’s Plano Campus, Jan. 19, to remember the life and work of Dr. King, and to consider his belief in education as a force for good.
The theme of this year’s breakfast was “Intelligence + Character = True Education.” The event included a resolution from Gov. Greg Abbott presented by State Representatives Matt Shaheen (District 66), Jeff Leach (District 67) and Candy Noble (District 89), and State Senator Angela Paxton (District 8), a proclamation from the city of Plano delivered by Mayor Harry LaRosiliere, a panel discussion by area school superintendent, student presentations and performances, and the announcement of multiple scholarships. The breakfast was also attended by Collin Allred, U.S. Representative for Texas (District 32).
The event honored the following students and community members:
Collin College student Toluwani Ogunbayode was awarded the Adrian Rodriguez Scholarship, which honors a Collin College Board of Trustees member who has dedicated uncounted hours to the MLK Power Leadership Breakfast as a moderator and co-chair of the committee. Ogunbayode will graduate from Collin this spring and then head to Texas A&M for a degree in agricultural economics. He would like to apply his education to impact food production in the most rural parts of the Earth. Ogunbayode is pictured above (center) flanked by Rodriguez, MLK Power Leadership Breakfast Co-Chair Evelyn McKnight, Past Chair Joe McKnight and Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin.
Kevin Vicknair was awarded the Evelyn and Don McKnight Scholarship, named in honor of two longtime volunteers and leaders in the MLK Power leadership Breakfast. Vicknair is a health science major who calls himself a proud family man. Vicknair is pictured (center) with Rodriguez, Evelyn McKnight, Joe McKnight and Dr. Matkin.
Stefanie Lo, a surgical assistance student, was honored with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Chi Zeta Omega Scholarship. Lo has been actively involved on the campus and in the community. Lo is pictured (centered in the picture at right) with Alpha Kappa Alpha President Charisse Wright (left) and Dr. Matkin.
Leticia Reyes was awarded a scholarship sponsored by the Plano North Metroplex Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Reyes is a surgical assistance major who looks forward her role in the operating room. She also volunteers in the preschool at her church. Reyes is pictured (center) in the photo at right with Paula Parker, president of The Links, and Dr. Matkin.
The college also announced that the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Scholarship Fund had reached endowment status thanks to the donations of attendees over the many years of the MLK Leadership Power Breakfast and to a recent large donation by community members Ruben and Mary Alice Garza. The couple was honored for their donation, which pushed the fund over the endowment threshold, allowing it to continue funding scholarships in perpetuity
The annual celebration is organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Breakfast Committee and was sponsored this year, as in previous years, by Capital One. Donations for the scholarship fund are accepted throughout the year through the Collin College Foundation. For more information on making a gift to this fund, call 972.599.3145. More photos of the breakfast event are available athttps://collincollege.resourcespace.com/?c=424&k=2d46e83b1a.
Collin College serves more than 55,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of disciplines. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development. In addition, the college operates the Collin Higher Education Center, which serves 3,500 additional students each year in partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas.