2008 Woodie Awards
Daytime judge chosen to speak on MLK Day
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
Court will be in session Monday night when Judge Greg Mathis makes a trip to CMU to speak for Martin Luther King Day.
"We wanted to bring someone relevant," said Shawn Wilson, assistant director of Minority Student Services. "It's someone everyone can relate to."
Mathis, star of the show that bears his name, will speak at 7 p.m. Monday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium, as the keynote for this year's MLK Week celebration.
Wilson said it was difficult trying to find a keynote speaker. It was even harder trying to find one for Martin Luther King Jr. day, which is Monday.
"A lot of things have to line up," he said. "We wanted someone that could come (on MLK Day)."
CMU will pay Mathis about $10,000 for his speech, Wilson said. Last year's speaker, Jesse Jackson, was paid more than $20,000.
Central Michigan University has been the host of some prominent minority speakers during MLK Week. Last year, CMU brought Jackson to Rose Arena. Al Sharpton, 2004 presidential candidate, came in 2005.
According to Mathis' Web site, he was involved with gangs and drugs during his teenage years. He promised his dying mother he would change, and he became a judge.
Wilson said he was not sure what Mathis' speech will consist of or the topics he will discuss.
MSS officials are hoping Mathis will fill Plachta Auditorium, like previous speakers have done.
"Come early - there are no reserved seats," said Mount Pleasant graduate assistant Mark A. Johnson.
Wilson said the auditorium will more than likely have no open seats.
"We're hoping for a sellout," he said.
Johnson said bringing a name like Mathis to campus shows CMU is committed to promoting diversity.
"It shows that the university is committed to bringing well-known speakers to campus," he said.
Oakland senior Matt Jeroue said bringing Mathis could have an impact on the role of minorities on campus.
"It's definitely a good thing for diversity," he said
Other candidates speaking during MLK Week have included Maya Angelou and Julian Bond.
Judge Mathis can be seen at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays on WSMH-FOX 66.
news@cm-life.com
"We wanted to bring someone relevant," said Shawn Wilson, assistant director of Minority Student Services. "It's someone everyone can relate to."
Mathis, star of the show that bears his name, will speak at 7 p.m. Monday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium, as the keynote for this year's MLK Week celebration.
Wilson said it was difficult trying to find a keynote speaker. It was even harder trying to find one for Martin Luther King Jr. day, which is Monday.
"A lot of things have to line up," he said. "We wanted someone that could come (on MLK Day)."
CMU will pay Mathis about $10,000 for his speech, Wilson said. Last year's speaker, Jesse Jackson, was paid more than $20,000.
Central Michigan University has been the host of some prominent minority speakers during MLK Week. Last year, CMU brought Jackson to Rose Arena. Al Sharpton, 2004 presidential candidate, came in 2005.
According to Mathis' Web site, he was involved with gangs and drugs during his teenage years. He promised his dying mother he would change, and he became a judge.
Wilson said he was not sure what Mathis' speech will consist of or the topics he will discuss.
MSS officials are hoping Mathis will fill Plachta Auditorium, like previous speakers have done.
"Come early - there are no reserved seats," said Mount Pleasant graduate assistant Mark A. Johnson.
Wilson said the auditorium will more than likely have no open seats.
"We're hoping for a sellout," he said.
Johnson said bringing a name like Mathis to campus shows CMU is committed to promoting diversity.
"It shows that the university is committed to bringing well-known speakers to campus," he said.
Oakland senior Matt Jeroue said bringing Mathis could have an impact on the role of minorities on campus.
"It's definitely a good thing for diversity," he said
Other candidates speaking during MLK Week have included Maya Angelou and Julian Bond.
Judge Mathis can be seen at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays on WSMH-FOX 66.
news@cm-life.com
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