Terrance Carroll, former Speaker of the House and recently appointed Board of Trustees member, delivered the keynote address.

More than 300 people attended Metro State’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Peace Breakfast at the Tivoli Turnhalle on Friday to celebrate the Civil Rights Movement leader and to honor those who share King's dedication to peace, justice and compassion.

The theme for this year’s 20^th annual breakfast was “Rediscovering Lost Values,” based on King's sermon on Feb. 28, 1954. The master of ceremonies was actor and filmmaker donnie l. betts (’87, speech communications), who also performed a theatrical skit walking between the tables of the audience. Musical performances featured Assistant Professor of Music Ron Miles, violinist Lionel Young and vocalist Lydia Morton.

Terrance Carroll, former speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and the first African American to hold the position, delivered the keynote. Recently appointedto the Metro State Board of Trustees, Carroll says he looks forward to working with the College, which he says has a “near and dear place in my heart.”

Alumni donnie l. betts performed a theatrical skit.

Addressing the sold-out crowd, he referenced the theme, saying it was most appropriate considering the recent shootings in Arizona and the current political climate. He said people should not be marginalized because of their political persuasion and he emphasized the importance of rediscovering common humanity and lost values. There is "serious work we have to do to restore our values," said Carroll, an ordained Baptist minister.

An alumni of Morehouse College, Carroll referenced a quote by Dr. Howard Thurman, a 1923 Morehouse College graduate: “Over the heads of her students, Morehouse holds a crown that she challenges them to grow tall enough to wear.”

Carroll said, “Our challenge and our goal is to grow tall enough to wear the crown.”

The 2011 MLK Peace Award honorees making every effort to "grow tall" included a student, a professor, an alumnus and a community leader (posthumously).

Aaron Smith, president of the Student Associate of Social Workers, was instrumental in the development of last fall's "Change for Change,” a spare change and food drive for the working poor and hungry.

Family of the late storyteller, Opalanga Pugh.

Metro State Psychology Professor Mary Ann Watson, a producer of films that advocate for diversity and disenfranchised populations, has most recently played a lead role in the development of a book drive for a school in Ethiopia.

Also honored was the late Opalanga Pugh, a storyteller who often said, “I am committed to using storytelling for the healing, empowerment and celebration of the human spirit.”

Pugh's brother Lloyd and mother Mary Edmonson accepted the recognition in her honor. With more than 500 condolences from around the world coming in within weeks of her June 2010 passing, she knew her daughter had accomplished her goal. “Without a doubt she succeeded," she said.

Executive director of the Hope Center, and former two-term president of the Metro State Alumni Association Gerie Grimes (’87, nonprofit management) in accepting her award, said, “It’s a great day to be a Roadrunner.”