Coastal Carolina University President David A. DeCenzo was honored today by the Carolina African American Heritage Foundation for his support of the group's Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

DeCenzo was cited for his tireless support of the MLK Planning Committee and for giving "talent, time and effort to the Carolina African American Heritage Foundation" in the planning and implementation of the MLK Celebration each year.

"Without [his] help and support, none of this would be possible," states the award presented to DeCenzo at the foundation's annual Corporate and Community Awards Breakfast, part of the Freedom Rally weekend in honor of the civil rights leader.

DeCenzo has served as president of the University for nearly nine years. He began his tenure at CCU in 2002 when he became dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, a position he held until 2006 when he was named provost of the University. He has served as a member of several academic associations and on many boards for local, community and corporate organizations, including the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Center, Conway Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, among others.