Award winning journalist to headline MLK Celebration at FMU

Francis Marion University will welcome back a Pee Dee native as the university pays tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Emmy-Award winning journalist and Bennettsville native Arthur Fennell will speak at the university’s 11th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration scheduled for Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m.

“Celebrating the Legacy, Living the Dream,” is free and open to the public.

According to a news release, Fennell’s address is expected to cover a range of topics including the contrast between King the legend, and Martin the man. Much of his presentation will be based on interviews conducted with close friends and colleagues of King who recollect fascinating stories of his personal struggles and how he overcame them.

Fennell serves as anchor and managing editor of “Art Fennell Reports, “ a news magazine program that, according to the release, provides interviews with national newsmakers and in-depth reports on issues and events that have people talking. “Art Fennell Reports” is seen in more than 9 million households from Maine to Virginia, exclusively on CN8, The Comcast Network.

According to the release, in 2006, Fennell received an Emmy Award for “Outstanding News Anchor” in the Mid-Atlantic region. Prior to joining CN8, Fennell held various positions with WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, including anchor, reporter and producer. His background also includes positions with WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Va.; WSAV-TV in Savannah, Ga.; WCBD-TV in Charleston, S. C.; WBTW-TV in Florence; and the South Carolina ETV Network. He holds a communications degree from South Carolina State University.