Higher Education Community Mourns the Loss of Coretta Scott King
ATLANTA
Many higher education institutions are remembering the life of Coretta Scott King, who died Tuesday at the age of 78.
Said Dr. Johnnetta Cole, president of Bennett College in North Carolina: “News of the passing of Mrs. Coretta Scott King went straight to that place in the heart of everyone in the Bennett College family where tears are made. As we grieve the physical loss of Mrs. King, an extraordinary and beloved champion of civil rights and human rights, we must renew our own efforts to be effective drum majors for peace, drum majors for justice, and drum majors for righteous.”
King spoke at Bennett’s inaugural President Presents lecture series on Sept. 27, 2002. In her presentation Mrs. King said, “I would like to think that my years of working for peace, human rights and a society free of racism, sexism, homophobia and all forms of bigotry, have helped to make life a little better for your generation.” She also received an honorary doctorate degree from Bennett College during the May 2003 commencement.
Spelman College in Atlanta, the alma mater of Mrs. King’s youngest daughter Bernice, also paid tribute. “Known worldwide for her indomitable spirit and commitment to human rights, Mrs. Coretta Scott King left an indelible mark upon the Spelman College community. While our hearts mourn her death, we pause to celebrate the life and legacy of this civil rights icon and moral leader. We extend our deepest condolences to her entire family.”
Mrs. King graduated from Antioch with a B.A. in music and education and won a scholarship to study concert singing at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. She also received an honorary doctorate from the Conservatory in 1971, which is remembering her through photos on their Web site at (http://www.newenglandconservatory.edu/alumni/alumni_profiles/profiles/king.htm.)
Flags at the King Center were lowered to half-staff yesterday morning.
