United

Beloved singer aretha franklin has become the first female artist to receive the United Negro College Fund's Award of Excellence.

Ms. Franklin is certainly deserving of this honor. You certainly knew she is a talented performer, but did you know she is also a fierce advocate for a variety of worthy causes, including bringing about improvements in higher education?

The 64-year-old singer will receive the honor at the college fund's "An Evening of Stars," to be taped Sept. 8-9 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. The annual TV special will air nationwide in late January 2007.

Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, said in a statement that Franklin's career "has established a standard of excellence that exemplifies the educational distinction to which our member colleges are dedicated and to which they hold their students."

Congratulations!