The fifth annual Robert G. McGruder Diversity Lecture and Awards Presentation will recognize Michelle Singletary as the 2007 recipient of the McGruder Distinguished Guest Lecturer Award at 1:30 p.m. today in the Kiva.

This award honors media professionals who promote diversity in the field of journalism.

Singletary is an award-winning columnist for The Washington Post and personal finance contributor for National Public Radio’s program, Day to Day. Singletary is the first woman to receive the Distinguished Guest Lecturer Award.

The day’s event is in memory of the late Robert. G. McGruder and his professional accomplishments. He was the first black editor of the Daily Kent Stater and the first black reporter for The Plain Dealer.

Prior to the lecture, the Northeast Ohio news media will attend a private luncheon where President Lester Lefton and Robert Frank, senior vice president of academic affairs and provost, will discuss the university’s commitment to diversity.

Also at the luncheon, Susan Goldberg, editor of The Plain Dealer, will be presented with the 2007 McGruder Diversity in Media Distinguished Leadership Award.

Before becoming editor of The Plain Dealer in 2007, Goldberg worked at the San Mercury News and USA Today.

The lecture, featuring a presentation by Singletary, is free and open to the public.

Contact College of Communication and Information reporter Brittany Thoma at [email protected].