Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, one of the organizers and past president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), will be the first recipient of the Walter P. Reuther Humanitarian Award from Wayne State University.

Lowery, a civil rights pioneer who chairs the National Black Leadership Forum (BLF), will be honored at a 9:15 a.m. program and presentation Thursday, Dec. 2, at Wayne State's McGregor Memorial Conference Center.

In announcing the award, WSU President Irvin D. Reid said, "As a champion of human dignity, civil rights, political and economic freedom, Dr. Lowery embodies the ideals of the distinguished labor leader for whom this award is named. He is an eloquent spokesman who continues to lead by example."

The award is named for the late Walter P. Reuther, 13-term president of the United Automobile Workers (UAW). Reuther was a pioneer in the modern civil rights and environmental movements. Under his leadership, the UAW led the union movement in the establishment of the guaranteed annual income, supplemental unemployment benefits, funded pensions and more.

The program begins with a buffet breakfast at 8:30 a.m. For additional information on the program, call Melvadean Pearson at (313) 577-5071.