Hollywood actor, Broadway songstress will headline LU's homecoming scholarship gala
Special from PR
Issue date: 9/30/09 Section: News
A Hollywood movie star and one of Broadway's original Dream Girls will headline an annual gala that benefits the students of Langston University, Oklahoma's only historically black university.
Morris Chestnut, a veteran of the small and large screen, will serve as the host of Langston University's 4th Annual President's Scholarship Gala, and two-time Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday will provide the entertainment for the black-tie affair.
The gala will be hosted at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at the Cox Convention Center (Grand Ballroom), 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City. The pre-gala reception is slated for 7 p.m. at the same place.
Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, initiated the annual gala shortly after her inauguration in 2006 as part of a commitment to raise more money for student scholarships. The last three galas have successfully yielded more than $350,000 collectively with 100 percent of all proceeds used for scholarships.
"Last year's gala was a resounding success with more than $150,000 raised for student scholarships," Haysbert said. "We have great hopes for this year's gala, and are pleased that Mr. Morris Chestnut and Ms. Jennifer Holliday have signed on to make our event an unforgettable experience and to support a very worthy cause."
Chestnut, who began his movie career in 1991 as "Ricky Baker" in the film "Boyz N the Hood," has appeared in more than 20 feature films and several made for television movies and shows including playing the lead role of "Jeff Carswell" in NBC's run away television hit of 1992 "Out All Night." His most recent film, "Not Easily Broken," was produced by T.D. Jakes, pastor of Dallas mega-church, The Potter's House.
Tony Award winning singer Jennifer Holliday is perhaps best known for her melancholy ballad titled "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." She is a legend of the musical theatre and a reigning Queen of the R & B music genre. Holliday, who also boasts the distinction of being a two-time Grammy Award winner, has recorded five chart-making CD's for Arista, Geffen, and Intersound Records since her Broadway debut in 1979.
Another of the evening's highlights includes the honoring of three individuals who have made significant contributions to Langston University. Receiving the 2009 President's Distinguished Service Awards will be the Honorable Brad Henry, governor of the state of Oklahoma; Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, the 24th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and Langston Booster, Mary "The Fox" Johnson of Ardmore, Okla.
In addition, the gala will feature a silent auction with items ranging from autographed sports memorabilia to swank spa packages.
A ticket to the gala costs $100 and seating is reserved. The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. To make reservations, please call (405) 466-3232.
Morris Chestnut, a veteran of the small and large screen, will serve as the host of Langston University's 4th Annual President's Scholarship Gala, and two-time Grammy Award winner Jennifer Holliday will provide the entertainment for the black-tie affair.
The gala will be hosted at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at the Cox Convention Center (Grand Ballroom), 1 Myriad Gardens, Oklahoma City. The pre-gala reception is slated for 7 p.m. at the same place.
Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, initiated the annual gala shortly after her inauguration in 2006 as part of a commitment to raise more money for student scholarships. The last three galas have successfully yielded more than $350,000 collectively with 100 percent of all proceeds used for scholarships.
"Last year's gala was a resounding success with more than $150,000 raised for student scholarships," Haysbert said. "We have great hopes for this year's gala, and are pleased that Mr. Morris Chestnut and Ms. Jennifer Holliday have signed on to make our event an unforgettable experience and to support a very worthy cause."
Chestnut, who began his movie career in 1991 as "Ricky Baker" in the film "Boyz N the Hood," has appeared in more than 20 feature films and several made for television movies and shows including playing the lead role of "Jeff Carswell" in NBC's run away television hit of 1992 "Out All Night." His most recent film, "Not Easily Broken," was produced by T.D. Jakes, pastor of Dallas mega-church, The Potter's House.
Tony Award winning singer Jennifer Holliday is perhaps best known for her melancholy ballad titled "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." She is a legend of the musical theatre and a reigning Queen of the R & B music genre. Holliday, who also boasts the distinction of being a two-time Grammy Award winner, has recorded five chart-making CD's for Arista, Geffen, and Intersound Records since her Broadway debut in 1979.
Another of the evening's highlights includes the honoring of three individuals who have made significant contributions to Langston University. Receiving the 2009 President's Distinguished Service Awards will be the Honorable Brad Henry, governor of the state of Oklahoma; Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, the 24th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and Langston Booster, Mary "The Fox" Johnson of Ardmore, Okla.
In addition, the gala will feature a silent auction with items ranging from autographed sports memorabilia to swank spa packages.
A ticket to the gala costs $100 and seating is reserved. The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. To make reservations, please call (405) 466-3232.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
national movers
posted 10/13/09 @ 12:07 PM CST
It's pretty cool that a Hollywood actor is going to be there. I've never even seen anyone famous up close.
morris
posted 10/21/09 @ 5:54 PM CST
morris chesnut??? did he come lol
paper writing
posted 11/25/09 @ 7:26 PM CST
This article is well-wretten!
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