Civil rights leader and Logan County resident Charles Neblett will receive an honorary degree during Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s May commencement ceremonies on May 11.
The former member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the founding member of the SNCC (SNICK) Freedom Singers will receive a doctor of humane letters for his work as a civil rights activist and leader.
Neblettt attended the SIU campus in 1959 where he organized student protests that led to the desegregation of all SIU campus housing.
He has received a number of awards and honors in his more than half a century of civil rights work.
Neblett lives in Russellville and is founder and president of Community Projects, Inc., along with his wife of 46 years, Marvinia.
