A fresh new voice!

HOLLY SPRINGS - Dr. Charles (Charlie) Payne is a native of Philadelphia, Miss., where he received his high school diploma from Piney Woods Country Life School in1958. He received his bachelor of arts degree in chemistry from Rust College in 1962; a master’s degree in science education from Tuskegee Institute (University) in 1966; and a doctorate of education (Ed. D.) in science education from the University of Virginia in 1972. He became an assistant professor at Ball State University in 1972. He was hired at Ball State specifically to create and develop a new minor in multicultural education, The Program for the Preparation of Teachers for Multicultural Secondary Classrooms, in the Department of Secondary, Higher and Foundations of Education in the Teachers College. The department's name was later changed to Educational Studies where he is a full and tenured professor. Payne served as a national consultant in the area of school desegregation for over 30 years. His awards include the BSU Outstanding Young Professor of the Year Award in 1976 and the 2002 Teachers College Outstanding Teacher award. "Whereas other initiatives focus on particular aspects of diversity, our equal opportunity and affirmative action policies use a broad definition of diversity referring to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, national origin, ancestry, age, and citizenship," said Payne. (Courtesy photo)