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Spelman College honors FSU's Earle Lee for work with Boys' Choir By Jill Elish, FSU Media Relations 
The Spelman College Board of Trustees has selected Boys' Choir of Tallahassee Director Earle Lee to receive its 2004 National Community Service Award. The award was presented at the college's commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 16, at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga."This is a great honor, particularly because it's coming from a historically black college," said Lee, an associate in the Florida State University School of Social Work. "It's another testimony to the great work the kids are doing. Because of the work they do, I shine." Spelman President Beverly Daniel Tatum in a letter to Lee noted his commitment to using education and the arts to provide at-risk youth with evidence they can rise above their current situation. "Your commitment not only inspire(s) many young people to become productive citizens but also brings about positive change," she wrote. "This is exactly what we hope to cultivate in our students here at Spelman." Lee has served as director of the Boys' Choir of Tallahassee since it was created by the School of Social Work in 1995 for boys with limited social and economic opportunities. His work with the choir has been recognized by Gov. Jeb Bush, who honored him in 2002 with a Point of Light Award, and Oprah Winfrey, who presented him with a $100,000 "Use Your Life Award." He also has received awards from the late Gov. Lawton Chiles, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the NAACP.Prior to coming to FSU, Lee worked with Columbia Boys Choir in South Carolina. He received his bachelor's degree in music education from Benedict College in South Carolina and a master's degree in social work from FSU. |
