The 10th-annual African-American Leadership Conference will come to a close today with the presentation of the Fanny Ruth Scholarship Award and a tribute to founder of the NIU Chance Program, McKinley “Deacon” Davis Jr.

The tribute will begin today during the Black Alumni Council reception.

Davis died at the age of 70 on March 20. He is survived by wife Lillie Davis; son Randy Davis; daughters Carmen (Jack) Burns and Connie Davis; brothers Hosea Davis and Joseph Davis; and sisters Margaret Broom, Erma Cole and Melva Davis .

“One of the things that people all remember about Davis is his contagious personality,” said Van Amos, programming coordinator for the Center for Black Studies. “He always has something good to say about somebody.” He always had a smile and a story to tell, Amos added.

Davis was a Harlem Globetrotter from 1955 to 1957. He later came to NIU from 1968 to 1978 to serve as the director of the special programs and was the founder of the NIU CHANCE program. From 1978 to 1983, he was the executive director of Intercollegiate Athletes at NIU. From 1983 to the present, he worked with Primerica Financial Services Citigroup.

“He will be remembered for his perseverance,” Amos said. “He always made it a point to say ‘I am somebody.’ He always believed students should follow their dreams.”

Following the tribute, the Fanny Ruth Scholarship Award will be awarded to this year’s recipient, Danielle Hill, who is a junior psychology major .

Fanny Ruth was the first black student to graduate from NIU. A scholarship in her name is given out annually to a deserving, qualified African-American student.