MURFREESBORO – The 2004 Reverend George T./Luvenia B. Rouson Memorial Lecture will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 1 in Vaughan Auditorium, Robert Marks Hall on the Chowan College campus.

The lecture is sponsored jointly by Chowan College, the town of Murfreesboro, and the Rouson Foundation. Reverend and Mrs. Rouson were noted Hertford County educators and religious leaders whose legacy of religious stewardship, family values, and community service lives on today in their students, children, coworkers and county residents.

This year’s guest lecturer will be Dr. Dennis Deloatch, Superintendent of Hertford County Public Schools. Podium guests include representatives from the faculties of Chowan College, Shaw University, and Roanoke-Chowan Community College. Following his presentation, Dr. Deloatch will be presented a plaque from the town of Murfreesboro in honor of the Rousons.

The Minnie Wood Perkins Humanitarian Award will be presented to Murfreesboro merchants and community leaders Samuel, Jacob, and Emma Ruffin. Their plaque is sponsored by the family of Iris R. Eley and Historically Speaking. Jacob Ruffin was Murfreesboro’s first elected African American town council member. Jackie Ruffin, daughter of Jacob Ruffin, will read an original composition she composed to honor her family for the occasion.

Representatives from area alumni associations, fraternities, and sororities are invited to attend and be recognized. Major (retired) Wallace G. White, Senior Army Instructor, Hertford County High School and his Junior Reserved Officer Training Cadets will serve as Honor Guards and ushers. Music will be provided by the youth choir of First Baptist Church under the direction of Curtis Jordon. Refreshments will be served immediately following the program in Robert Marks Hall. A reception will follow at First Baptist Church for the Rouson family and friends.

&uot;Dr. Danny Moore, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Chowan College, is to be commended for again providing Robert Marks Hall and additional services from the college. The program is a wonderful community event that is free and open to the public. The program is also one of the few continuing efforts between a college community, town council, and local citizens in the nation,&uot; said Alice Eley Jones, program organizer.

For more information, contact Alice Eley Jones at (252) 398-5098.