27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award (2001)
Harvey Gantt, Alum Award
After attending Iowa State University from 1960-62, Harvey Gantt (MLK Visiting Professor 1999-2000) enrolled at Clemson University in 1963 under a federal court order, becoming the first black to attend the previously all-white school in South Carolina. He graduated with honors in 1965 and went on to earn the MCP from MIT in 1970.
A partner in Gantt Huberman Architects in Charlotte, he served as the city’s mayor from 1981-87 and ran against longtime incumbent US Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) in 1990 and 1996. He was a visiting professor in the Department of Architecture.
In nominating Mr. Gantt, Professor Bish Sanyal, chair of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, noted his “courageous and historic efforts as an activist mayor and senatorial candidate.” He also cited Mr. Gantt’s “exceptional commitment to addressing the problems of our nation’s inner cities, and the unique roles that architects and planners can bring to this process.”
“The genius of Martin Luther King was his humanness,” said Mr. Gantt…”He cared about people genuinely, and he was just like you and me with fears and ambition and concerns, but he had this thing about him, this gift, this caring about society in such a way that he moved ordinary men and women… to do something, to being about positive change, and that’s a conviction that I moved forward from.”
More information:
Video: The Education of Harvey Gantt
In MLK talk, Vest notes efforts to advance minority opportunities (2/14/01)
MLK Leadership Awards go to three (1/31/01)
MLK celebration to feature Leaster talk, music and exhibit (2/2/00)
MLK Visiting Profs for 1999-2000 honored at reception (11/17/99)
Gantt to speak on urban revitalization (11/10/99)
Here and There (2/28/96)