Dr. Charlie Nelms Wins MLK Legacy Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2007

For more information, contact:
Barbara Fuqua, Chair, City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Commission, 331-7903
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources, City of Bloomington, 349-3471

Bloomington, IN -- Mayor Mark Kruzan presented the City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King Commission's Legacy Award at the community celebration of Dr. King's Birthday on Monday, Jan. 15. This year's award recipient is Dr. Charlie Nelms, Vice President for Institutional Development and Student Affairs and Professor of Higher Education Administration at Indiana University.

Kruzan praised Dr. Nelms, saying, "He is one of those rare individuals whose passions and official roles coincide, in that he has made and continues to make tangible, visible and meaningful contributions to the advancement of race relations, justice and human rights in both his personal and professional lives. His leadership and example help us all see and realize our potential."

The award recognizes the significant improvements that have been made throughout the IU system and especially on the Bloomington campus, under Dr. Nelms' stewardship. His efforts have resulted in the following:

• an increase in the number of underrepresented minority students receiving scholarship funds;
• the percentage of Black students on campus reaching a 23-year high;
• the percentage of Hispanic students climbing to its highest point in IU history; and
• an increase in hiring of underrepresented minority professors as part of the Strategic Hiring Program.

In addition to his these accomplishments, Dr. Nelms is an author. His recent book, "Start Where You Find Yourself: Lessons Taught and Lessons Learned," illustrates the humor and wisdom gathered from his many speeches and writings. The book provides life lessons, principles and exhortations such as, "Do not allow anyone to be responsible for your failures," as well as, "It is impossible to be burned out if you have never been on fire."

The King Commission created the Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Award to recognize and honor those who have made significant contributions in the areas of race relations, justice and human rights.

For additional information regarding the Dr. Martin Luther King Legacy Award and Commission, contact the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department at 349-3430 or visit [www.bloomington.in.gov|http://www.bloomington.in.gov].