Daytona Beach, FL – Despite the outcry from some alumni, Bethune-Cookman University plans to recognize Florida’s governor with a leadership award.
Republican Rick Scott will receive the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Leadership Award during the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Awards Gala Wednesday night at the Ocean Center.
Hundreds of community supporters are expected to attend the 3rd annual gala, per BCU officials. (Click here for more information on the gala.)
Scott and several others will receive awards for contributions to education and the community, according to a press release sent by the school last month.
“Scott has shown consistent support of higher education and has also developed a reputation for providing affordable, high-quality care to the community,” the press release stated.
It was soon after that release that Jasmine Burney – a BCU alum – posted a petition on Change.org demanding that the school not give Scott the award.
“This great institution of higher learning has chosen to commit such an atrocity as honoring a man that has done quite the opposite for the poor, minority and disenfranchised of our state,” stated the online petition.
Nearly 800 people have signed it since it was posted. (Click here to view the petition.)
In a separate email sent to the media on October 15th, BCU Board of Trustees Chairman Joe Petrock defended giving Scott the award and
“Governor Scott was selected for this award based on his ability to deliver precious resources to the university,” Petrock added. “Over the past 3 years, he has ensured more than $15 million was allocated to BCU.”
Scott is expected to be at the event to accept the award, according to BCU spokeswoman Keisha Boyd.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.