'Pursuit of Happyness' author to speak at MLK celebration dinner

In honor of one man's dream and hope for progress, Southeast Missouri State University holds the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration dinner each year.

This year's dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Show Me Center, will feature Christopher Gardner as the keynote speaker.

Gardner's memoir, "The Pursuit of Happyness," was brought to life in a 2006 film by the same name.

"Gardner is the perfect example of our theme for this year," said Lincoln Scott, assistant to the president for equity and diversity issues at Southeast. "This year our theme is 'courage in the pursuit of the dream,' and we believe that Mr. Gardner's story objectifies that courage at its greatest."

Gardner is a self-made millionaire and entrepreneur who struggled with homelessness while raising his toddler son in the 1980s.

"Every year, we ask the students who they would like to hear at the celebration," Scott said. "We then take these suggestions and see who is available that we can afford."

The majority of the celebration and guest speaker fees are funded by corporate sponsorship.

"We have a tiered program that includes platinum sponsors at $3,000, gold at $1,200, silver at $350 and bronze at $250," Scott said. "These sponsorships are critical to keeping the cost of the evening down so that students and community members can come.

"A smaller part of the funding comes from the Continuing Education Program as well as the student activity fees."

The dinner typically has a good turnout, nearing 1,000 attendees. Scott plans for at least that, but said the number of attendees is not the most important thing.

"If five people show up and get the message and remember Dr. King and his courage, then we've accomplished our purpose," he said.

Tickets for this year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration dinner are $15, and are available now at the Show Me Center box office or by calling Elizabeth Maldonado at 651-2524.