DATE: November 19, 2007

CONTACT: Jerry Knighton, (864) 656-3184
knightl@clemson.edu

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

Jesse Jackson to speak at Clemson conference

CLEMSON – The Rev. Jesse Jackson will visit Clemson University in January for the Sixth Annual National Conference on Best Practices in Black Student Achievement.

Jackson, a Greenville native and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, will deliver the keynote address at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at the Madren Conference Center.

“It is most fitting that we have the Rev. Jesse Jackson, our nation's most widely known civil rights leader, as one of our keynote speakers,” said Jerry Knighton, assistant director for the Office of Access and Equity at Clemson and member of the conference planning committee. “I am sure Rev. Jackson will have a unique perspective to share regarding Clemson, past and present. We feel that the conference represents an acknowledgement of our past and the establishment of new traditions at Clemson.

“Over the years, the conference has evolved to become Clemson's contribution to the national dialogue on issues surrounding diversity and student achievement in higher education,” Knighton said. “In that sense, it represents who we were, who we are and who we want to become.”

The conference is scheduled for Jan. 27-29, with a pre-conference workshop scheduled to begin at noon on Jan. 27.

Carl B. Mack, executive director of the National Society of Black Engineers, is scheduled to provide the opening keynote address, “Why America Needs More Minority Scientists and Engineers,” at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 28.

The National Conference on Best Practices in Black Student Achievement was established in 2003 as part of Clemson’s celebration of the university’s 40th anniversary of desegregation. The conference was established to bring together experts in preparation, retention, mentoring and other programs aimed at improving black student achievement. For the schedule or to register, go to http://www.clemson.edu/bestpractices/.