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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Office of Community Services - (573) 874-7488 (v/tty) or
Public Communications - (573) 874-7220

Arvarh Strickland, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks named diversity award
winners; special award presented to Earl and Clara Miles

COLUMBIA, MO (January 13, 2005) -- Arvarh Strickland, Ph.D., was named
the winner of the individual award and Mid-Missouri Peaceworks was the
organizational winner of the 8th Annual Columbia Values Diversity
Awards. A special award was presented to Earl and Clara Miles. Clara
passed away last year. The awards were given at this morning's
Columbia Values Diversity Celebration at the Holiday Inn Select Expo
Center.

The awards are given to an individual/family and an organization/group
who have made significant contributions in promoting appreciation for
diversity and cultural understanding in Columbia. This is the eighth
year for the awards.

Arvarh Strickland, Ph.D.
Dr. Strickland was born in Hattisburg, Miss. After completing high
school, he received a bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College, a
master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He has had
teaching experience in Mississippi, Tuskegee Institute in Alabama,
Chicago State College and the University of Illinois. He became the
first black professor at the University of Missouri in 1969, and
remained there until 1996. He chaired the Department of History from
1980 to 1983. He was interim director of the Black Studies Program in
1986. From 1989 to 1991, Arvarh served as associate vice president for
Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri. 

"Arvarh did not confine himself to the university campus, but
immersed himself in the total community," said Eliot Battle, who
nominated Strickland. 

Battle listed Strickland's many accomplishments, including:

Co-Chairman of the Mayor's Steering Committee for commemorating the
contributions of black Columbians 
President of the integrated Kiwanis Club of Columbia 
Board member of Habitat for Humanity Advisory Board 
Member of the Columbia Public Schools Enrollment Planning Commission 
Member of the Boone Hospital Center's Institutional Board 
J. W. Blind Boone Foundation involved with the Boone home renovation 
Co-founded the Minority Men's Network, that offers mentorship to
minority youth as well as several scholarships annually. 

Mid-Missouri Peaceworks
Melanie Schmitz, Interfaith Peace Alliance of Mid-Missouri, nominated
Peaceworks. 

In the nomination, she wrote, "Over the years, the most outstanding
contribution of Peaceworks has been that of citizen empowerment.
Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation,
differing ability or socio-economic status, Peaceworks has consistently
offered education, forums, services and activities to enable people to
speak and act their mind in matters of civic responsibility."
The award was presented to Kim Dill, representing Mid-Missouri
Peaceworks. 

Some highlights of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks activities are:

Columbia Nuclear Freeze Campaign organized to promote a Comprehensive
Test Ban 
The freeze branched out to focus on Central American issues and started
the annual Hiroshima commemoration 
They worked with local chapter of Veterans for Peace to organize the
annual Memorial Day observance emphasizing nonviolence 
They opened The Peace Nook on Broadway as a community resource center
and becomes the primary group to organize the annual Earth Day
celebrations 
They organized a march of 1,000 people opposing the Gulf War 
Worked with Citizens for Human Rights to pass an amendment to
Columbia's Human Relations Ordinance banning discrimination based
on sexual orientation 
They established the Center for Sustainable Living outreach program 
Launched the first local anti-sweat shop campaign 
Focused on globalization and joins in forming the Boone County Growth
Coalition 
Held "No More Victims" Candlelight Vigil urging nonviolent response to
the attacks on our country 
Currently involved in peaceful weekly rush hour demonstrations in
response to the war 
Earl and Clara Miles
A special award was presented to Earl and Clara Miles.
In the late 1950's, the Mileses, along with several other black
Columbia families, were determined to build or purchase homes in areas
other than the established black neighborhoods. They met with much
resistance, however, through the perseverance of the Mileses and the
other families, a new chapter in the civil rights history of the
Columbia area was written when Miles Manor was developed and Earl and
Clara moved into their new home in the mid-1960's. Many of the original
homes still stand in Miles Manor.
Earl and Clara have had significant impact in the community and are
very deserving of recognition for their roles in the civil rights
movement.

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