MNU’s 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration at MidAmerica Nazarene University will be livestreamed Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited to watch this event online.
Each year at this event MNU presents its Martin Luther King Jr. Living Legacy Award. This year’s recipient is Topeka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson.
“Dr. Anderson keeps the dream alive through her strong belief in the good she finds in all people and the potential they represent,” says Dr. David Spittal, MNU president. “She is truly a model of faith and love in motion.”
DR. DAVID SPITTAL
MNU President
The recipient of numerous awards for her successful educational programs and outstanding community service, Anderson will deliver an address honoring King, titled from Dreamers to Bridge Builders.
In addition, MNU’s 2020-2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Leader Scholars will be recognized. MNU established this scholarship program for persons from diverse ethnicities who wish to emulate Dr. King’s passion for learning and servant leadership. MNU Leader Scholars maintain their scholarship award by demonstrating academic and leadership qualities during their university studies.
Sponsorships are available for individuals and corporations. For questions about the event please contact Pete Brumbaugh at pjbrumbaugh@www.mnu.edu or (913) 971-3606.
About Dr. Tiffany Anderson
Dr. Tiffany Anderson is the first African American female superintendent of Topeka Public Schools. A public school educator for over 27 years, Dr. Anderson advises Kansas on postsecondary and equity policies. She was appointed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, to the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA), as part of the Kansas Board of Regents and to Co-Chair the Governor’s Kansas Commission on Racial Equity and Justice.
While superintendent in Virginia, Dr. Anderson led Montgomery County Public Schools in earning the Virginia Governor’s Competence to Excellence Award. As superintendent in Missouri, the Washington Post referred to Dr. Anderson as, “The woman who made schools work for the poor.” During her tenure in Kansas and in Missouri, the achievement scores, graduation rate and college placement rate have increased. Topeka received national awards for three consecutive years under Dr. Anderson for leadership in trauma-informed systems for schools, creating systems for youth in crises and for innovation.
Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate, from Saint Louis University. She is a professor of practice for Kansas State University and adjunct faculty for ASCD (Association for Schools and Curriculum Development). Dr. Anderson serves on numerous Topeka business and not-for-profit boards and on the international sex trafficking board. Dr. Anderson’s publications include her books on transforming schools along with several articles on public health and equity in education.
Dr. Anderson’s numerous recognitions include the Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteerism from President Obama; the Salute to Excellence for Women awarded by the Urban League; the Stellar Performance Award by the St. Louis American and the award for Diversity in Business from the St. Louis Business Journal.
