The Coleman Center for Religion, Leadership, and Culture received the Rabbi Jeffrey L. Ballon Memorial Interfaith Award at the Interfaith Mission Service Awards held on August 13. The Center was one of five distinguished organizations recognized for its commitment to religious tolerance, racial harmony, and social justice. Dr. Eric Betts accepted the award on behalf of he and Coleman Center director and Professor of Religion, Dr. Robby White.
The Curtis Coleman Center for Religion, Leadership, and Culture is a service-oriented extension of the Athens State University Religion program. Its mission is to promote understanding, goodwill, dialogue, cooperation, and service by exchanging ideas and information surrounding religious and ethical issues. The Center is designed to serve the needs of students, faculty, and the community, and it explores the religious and ethical dimensions of various cultural and contemporary issues.
The Center is named after the late Dr. Curtis Coleman. Dr. Coleman was a universally respected community leader, mentor and Professor at Athens State University. He was also an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church, and committed his life to building bridges and bringing people together. His legacy of teaching, leading, and serving continues to be an inspiration. The Coleman Center is committed to continuing his work.