Dec. 16 is deadline for ‘unsung hero’ nominations for 24th annual MTSU Unity Luncheon

Middle Tennessee State University is again seeking nominations for the “unsung heroes” throughout the community who will be honored at the upcoming traditional Unity Luncheon held in February as part of the university’s Black History Month celebration.

Community members are invited to nominate individuals who meet the following criteria: age 60 or older who have resided in the Middle Tennessee area for 25 years or more and “who have made outstanding contributions to their community.”

Nominations can be made in the following categories: education, community service, advocate of civility, excellence in sports and contribution to black arts. Deadline to submit nominations is Dec. 16.

In this February 2019 file photo, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, left, presents Rickey Field, a physical education teacher, assistant football coach and head track coach at Riverdale High School, with the Unity Luncheon Unsung Hero Award for Excellence in Sports. Nominations are open for 2020 honorees. Deadline to submit is Dec. 16. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Winners will be recognized at the 24th annual Unity Luncheon, which will be held Feb. 20, 2020, in the MTSU Student Union Ballroom. 4 hands unity luncheon graphic

The Black History Month Committee at MTSU began the tradition of honoring unsung heroes in 1996 and has honored more than 100 community members since its inception.

More category details, an online nomination form and a list of past honorees can be found at www.mtsu.edu/aahm/unity-awards.php. A printable form is available at http://bit.ly/mtbhm20 and includes email, mail and fax information. Nominations can be submitted in only one category.

For more information, contact Daniel Green, manager of the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at MTSU, at 615-898-5812 or Daniel.Green@mtsu.edu.

— Jimmy Hart (Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu)

Ashley Kimbrough, adjunct professor of jazz voice, and members of the MTSU Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform at the 23rd MTSU Unity Luncheon Feb. 14. The ensemble is directed by music professor Cedric Dent (not pictured). (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

In this February 2019 file photo, Ashley Kimbrough, adjunct professor of jazz voice, and members of the MTSU Singers vocal jazz ensemble perform at the 23rd annual MTSU Unity Luncheon. The 2020 luncheon will be held Feb. 20 in the Student Union Ballroom. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

In this February 2019 file photo, the community “unsung hero” honorees at the 23rd annual Unity Luncheon at MTSU are, from left, Rickey Field, excellence in sports; Chantho Sourinho, advocate for civility; Martha Bigsby, community service; Frank Michello, education; and Carolyn Sneed Lester, contribution to black arts. The deadline to submit nominees for the 2020 awards is Dec. 16. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

The 2019 community “unsung hero” honorees at the 23rd annual Unity Luncheon at MTSU in this file photo include, from left, Rickey Field, saluted for excellence in sports; Chantho Sourinho, honored as an advocate for civility; Martha Bigsby, recognized for community service; Frank Michello, honored for service to education; and Carolyn Sneed Lester, recognized for contributions to black arts. The deadline to submit nominees for the 2020 awards is Dec. 16. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)