Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Events
The University community commemorates the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by celebrating civil rights achievements, contemplating the work that remains, and committing to playing a part in the future of change.
View the video of the 2009 commemoration here. Check back for the schedule of events for the 2010 commemoration.
Call for Student Proposals for 2010 Commemoration
The MLK Day planning committee is seeking creative proposals from students who wish to participate in the annual commemoration event, or other events that will take place during the week of January 18, 2010. Students who would like to perform music or spoken word, write an essay, design a photographic exhibit, or otherwise express their vision of this year's theme, The Freedom Struggle Today, are encouraged to complete the attached proposal form and submit it to Lisa Miles by October 30, 2009.
2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
Monday, January 19
March and Processional
1:40 pm
Jepson Quad
Join students and staff as we process to the annual Commemoration event in the Chapel. All are welcome.
University Community Gathering
2 pm
Cannon Memorial Chapel
Join members of the University community as we honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through music, imagery, student performances, and inspiring remarks from special guest speaker, the Honorable Roger L. Gregory, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. A reception will follow the event in the Gottwald Science Center Atrium.
The University observes an altered class schedule to enable community members to attend the commemoration. Click here to view the class schedule for January 19, 2009.
Other events include:
Chinese Exclusion Act 'Remembering 1882' Art Exhibit
January 10-23
Boatwright Library
In the spirit of MLK¿s struggle against racism and exclusion, 'Remembering 1882' commemorates the civil rights struggle of Chinese Americans and their allies by examining the historical significance of the Exclusion Act.
Teach-In on Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy
Thursday, January 15, 4-7 pm
Boatwright Library
Join faculty members Tracy Roof, Thad Williamson, Doug Hicks, and others, for a series of short, informal lectures and discussions about MLK's legacy, its connection to the present, and thoughts about what he might ask of us today. Drop in and listen for as long as you like.
Birmingham Children: Growing Up in the Civil Rights Struggle
Friday, January 16, 12:30 - 1:25 pm
Think Tank, Commons 202
Two University faculty members, Dr. Gill Hickman, leadership studies, and Dr. Del McWhorter, philosophy, will reflect on their experiences growing up in Birmingham in the '60s. This event is part of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement Brown Bag Discussion Series.
Special Note: Dr. Del McWhorter recommends the following books on the topic of the civil rights struggle in Birmingham:
Andrew M. Manis, A Fire You Can't Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham¿s Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth
Bobby M. Wilson, Race and Place in Birmingham: The Civil Rights and Neighborhood Movements
Glenn T. Eskew, But For Birmingham: The Local and National Movements in the Civil Rights Struggle
Diane McWhorter, Carry Me Home, Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Movement
Elizabeth H. Cobbs/Petric J. Smith, Long Time Coming: An Insider's Story of the Birmingham Church Bombing that Rocked the World
Martin Luther King, Why We Can't Wait