Minority graduate students will have the chance to see how far their studies can take them at NIU’s Black Graduate Student Association Reception.

Worth H. Thomas, who currently works as the personnel director and political policy adviser to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, is the keynote speaker for the reception.

The reception, which is by invitation only, will be held Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Matthew Boone’s, 122 S. First St., DeKalb.

“It will give school executives an opportunity to meet and extend an open welcome to NIU’s 211 black graduate students,” said Keenan Grenell, who was instrumental in inviting Thomas to speak at NIU.

Grenell met Thomas while working at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. where Thomas had helped develop the company’s affirmative action program, Grenell said.

Thomas will talk about the “Talented Tenth,” those minority students who have taken advantage of their opportunity to complete their education, Grenell said.

“Thomas will be quite inspirational for the grad students,” said Irene Johnson, assistant graduate school dean.