Six Kansas University students and two faculty and staff members will be honored Saturday at the Black Faculty and Staff Council Student Awards Banquet.

The event, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Kansas Union Ballroom, features Pearl Rovaris-MacDonald, an Overland Park motivational speaker and improvisational comedian.

Chico Herbison, assistant professor of African and African-American studies, will receive the Hobart Jackson Service Award for outstanding service toward black students at KU. A second Jackson honoree will be named at the banquet.

The six students who will receive $500 awards for academic achievement are:

Massissou Hathoura, Lawrence, a doctoral student in educational policy and leadership.

Norman Bouwie, Wichita, a senior majoring in accounting.

Jeffery D. Mack, Dallas, Ga., a doctoral student in English.

Courtney Bates, South Orange, N.J., junior in psychology and human development.

Caleb Deon Howard, Grand Prairie, Tex., freshman in architecture.

Jamel Scott Sandidge, Madison Heights, Va., doctoral student in systematics and ecology.