Hosted by Benedictine University and College of DuPage

Major Corporate Sponsor

E Pluribus Unum
"Out of many, one"

Keynote Speaker: Roy Saigo
President, St. Cloud State University, MN

Speaker: Leroy Brown
Deputy Mayor of Bolingbrook, IL

Monday, Jan. 21, 2008
8 to 9:30 a.m. Breakout sessions immediately following the breakfast:

"Too Many Children Left Behind: How Can We Close the Achievement Gap?"
College of DuPage Public Policy Institute

"Living Together"
William Carroll, Ph.D., President of Benedictine University
Sunil Chand, Ph.D., President of College of DuPage
Roy Saigo, Ph.D., Past President of St. Cloud State University

Dr. Roy Hirofumi Saigo is a nationally recognized change agent. He brought strong leadership and a commitment to diversity to St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, MN) during his presidency from 2000-2007. One result was fostering an institutional reputation for addressing tough issues openly — issues that might be feared or swept away at other universities.

As a young boy during World War II, he and his family were held in an internment camp for Japanese-Americans in the Arizona desert. Roy Saigo emerged from that experience and subsequent discrimination without bitterness but with a fighting spirit, rising to the heights of academia in America. As president, he attacked prejudice on multiple fronts. For example, he took a courageous stand in bringing the issue of American Indian sports imagery to the NCAA, he commissioned the Coalition for Anti-Racism Education (CARE), and he vigorously and effectively promoted global education and recruitment and success of domestic students of color. Dr. Saigo's leadership in diversity issues has led to many awards and recognitions, including the President's Award from Central Minnesota NAACP. Dr. Saigo holds a doctorate in botany and plant pathology, and a bachelor's degree in biological science. He and his wife, Dr. Barbara Woodworth Saigo, have three grown children and three grandchildren.

In June 2000, Leroy Brown was appointed deputy mayor of Bolingbrook, IL, a very diverse and progressive suburb of Chicago. He is an elected trustee and currently serves on the village's Finance Committee and is chair of the Public Works Committee.

Brown is a long-time advocate for youth and community involvement. He is the founder and host of "Bridging the Gap," a television talk show for teens and parents that airs on Bolingbrook Community Television, and is a member of Boy Scouts of America. He models professionalism, discipline, fairness and civility in his role as Safety Coordinator for Valley View School District 365U. Brown draws from his unique experience as a Green Beret as he continues his service to the country and the community through village positions, ministry at St. Francis Church, membership in the Knights of Columbus, and membership in the American Legion Post 1288. He has received a number of honors, including a Chicago Police Service Award, Patriot Award, Citizen of the Year, George Bailey Citizenship Award, and Knights of Columbus Family of the Year Award. Brown and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 41 years and have two sons and three grandchildren.

Related Links:

How to Apply for the MLK Scholarship (44 KB PDF file)

The Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial

Martin Luther King Jr. Biography