Almost four decades have passed since a bullet brought Dr. Martin Luther King down in Memphis, Tenn., but his ideals for equality didnt die with him.

And West Virginia University is looking for that Mountain State resident who best embodies that ongoing missionthat person who today best articulates the philosophy of the slain civil rights leader.

WVU s Center for Black Culture and Research is accepting statewide nominations for its annual Martin Luther King Jr., Achievement Award, which will be presented Jan. 17, 2005, on the morning of the national holiday that bears his name.

The award is open to any West Virginia resident known for working with humanitarian causes. The selection will be made by the Dr. Martin Luther King Programs Committee, which consists of WVU employees, Morgantown city leaders and others from the community and region.

Were talking about those people who exemplify the courageous and humanitarian legacies of Dr. King, CBC &R Assistant Director Todd McFadden said of the chief nominating criteria.

It could be through a single courageous act or stand on behalf of the needy,he said.Or it might be a pattern of good works to better the community and the worldsomeone who brings an aspect of Dr. Kings �€~dreamto the waking world.

Past winners include WVU public health educators Lourdes Cottingham and Dr. Ann Chester; the Rev. Angela Walker, a Morgantown minister; and local musician and community organizer Al Anderson.

The award will be given during WVU s annual Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast, the traditional opening to a host of events on campus and across the Morgantown community honoring Kings life and times for the holiday.

Nominations are being accepted through Dec. 13. The form may be downloaded online athttp://www.wvu.edu/~cbcr/mlk7.html. The mailing address is: WVU Center for Black Culture and Research, 590 Spruce St., P.O. Box 6417, Morgantown, WV 26506 -6417.

For more information, contact McFadden at 304-293-7029, ext. 110. He can also be reached by email at todd.mcfadden@mail.wvu.edu .