WMU News

WMU to commemorate King birthday Jan. 15-19

Jan. 4, 2001

KALAMAZOO -- A number of free public events and activities, including a presentation by rap artist Chuck D, have been scheduled at Western Michigan University the week of Jan.15-19 to celebrate the birthday Monday, Jan. 15, of the late Martin Luther King Jr.

Scroll down for a list of major events planned for the WMU observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

For the second year, Jan. 15 will be an official University holiday. In earlier years, classes were canceled for the observance but the University remained open. This is the 11th year that WMU officially has recognized the birthday of the slain civil rights leader.

With the theme "Living the MLK Legacy in the New Millennium," this year's weeklong observance features several major events, including:

MLK Discovery Day, a free fair for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, on the tennis courts in the Student Recreation Center. Children wishing to participate must have permission slips signed by a parent or guardian.

The MLK Convocation, featuring keynote speaker Chuck D, cofounder of the rap group Public Enemy and an outspoken commentator on such issues as race, inequality and rage, at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in University Arena. Other convocation speakers will include WMU President Dr. Elson S. Floyd and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton. In addition, there will be a performance by the WMU Voices choir of an excerpt from "Rosa Parks," an upcoming University Theatre musical drama directed by Dr. Von Washington, WMU professor of theatre.

A candlelight vigil featuring guest speaker Rep. Kwame Kilpatrick at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center. Sponsored by the WMU student chapter of the NAACP, the ceremony will honor and reflect on Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, while stressing the importance of continuing King's mission into the 21st century.

Many other events are also scheduled, including activities in the campus residence halls. A complete list of events and activities is being distributed to the University community and is available on the World Wide Web at <www.wmich.edu/mlkday>.

Other campus events honoring Dr. King include:

A commemorative march at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, from the Bernhard Center to MLK Memorial Park on North Rose Street, sponsored by the WMU student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The annual "I Have a Dream" Speech Competition at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Room 210 of the Bernhard Center. Sponsored by the WMU Residence Hall Association, students will compete with oral presentations on the theme "Living the MLK Legacy in the New Millennium."

Also on Wednesday, Jan. 17, several guest speakers will address issues of race and inequality. They include:

Dr. Beverly Vandiver, assistant professor of counseling psychology at Penn State University, who will make address the question of "Why Did the Bullet Come?" at 5 p.m. in Room 212 of the Bernhard Center. Sponsored by the WMU Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology, Vandiver's presentation will explore the struggles of Dr. King and his allies as they confronted power, privilege and oppression in America and the roles that individuals can play in helping create a more inclusive environment in today's society.

Jim Keady and Leslie Kretzu of the Olympic Living Wage Project will discuss their experiences in Indonesia trying to live on the wage of a Nike factory worker. Their presentation, at 6 p.m. in Room 1104 of Rood Hall, is sponsored by the United Students Against Sweatshops.

The University's observance of King's birthday is being coordinated by the MLK Committee of the Faculty Senate through the Lewis Walker Institute for Race and Ethnic Relations. The committee is chaired by Stevan J. Veldkamp, assistant director of student life, and includes students and faculty and staff members.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


Living the MLK Legacy in the New Millennium

2001 Observance of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

www.wmich.edu/mlkday

Monday, Jan. 15

MLK March, 10 a.m., Bernhard Center -- A commemorative march from the Bernhard Center to MLK Memorial Park on North Rose Street sponsored by the WMU student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

MLK Discovery Day, 1-4 p.m., WMU Student Recreation Center Tennis Courts -- A free fair for children, kindergarten through 8th grade, featuring diversity activities, arts, crafts and games. Permission slips signed by a parent or guardian are required for children to participate and are available the day of the event or from WMU Student Volunteer Services at (616) 387-3230. Sponsored by the WMU MLK Committee and University Recreation Programs and Facilities.

Tuesday, Jan. 16

The Dream's Spiritual Integrity, noon-1 p.m., Kiva Room, Faunce Student Services Building -- A workshop on how contemplation, prayer and mediation can help manifest MLK's dream in the world by helping individuals find inner peace and compassion. Sponsored by the WMU University Counseling and Testing Center.

Teaching MLK in the K-12 Classroom, 4-5:30 p.m., 2452 Knauss Hall -- A workshop for aspiring teachers that examines the MLK legacy and role of education in the civil rights movement, the relevance of children's and adolescent literature with civil rights themes, and ways to develop social justice curriculum and teaching. Sponsored by WMU Department of English and the College of Education.

Healing Racism Mini-Workshop, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 2304 Sangren Hall -- A workshop featuring exercises that explore the history of racism and its effects on current race relations. Sponsored by the Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership.

MLK Convocation, 8 p.m., University Arena -- Keynote speaker is Chuck D, co-founder of the rap group Public Enemy and outspoken commentator on issues including race, inequality and rage. Other speakers include WMU President Elson S. Floyd and Rep. Fred Upton, with a performance by the WMU Voices Choir. Admission is free.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Why Are All the Black Students Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: Profiling on College Campuses, 10-11:30 a.m., B-106 Conference Room, Faunce Student Services Building -- A roundtable dialogue to promote awareness of profiling at WMU and other higher education institutions. Sponsored by Career and Student Employment Services.

Evaluating Programs from a Multicultural Perspective, 10-11 a.m., 3210 Sangren Hall -- Dr. Beverly Vandiver, Penn State University, will present a one-hour program for faculty that explores a theoretical model to assess training programs' effectiveness in preparing students to live in a global society. Sponsored by the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.

Student Preparation for Living in a Racially Diverse Society, 2-3 p.m., 2301 Sangren Hall -- A presentation for graduate students by Dr. Beverly Vandiver, Penn State University, on preparing students to live in a racially diverse society. Sponsored by the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.

Why Did the Bullet Come?, 5-6:30 p.m., 212 Bernhard Center -- Dr. Beverly Vandiver, Penn State University, will explore the struggles of Dr. King and his allies as they confronted power, privilege and oppression in America. She will discuss roles that individuals can play in helping create a more inclusive environment in today's society. Sponsored by the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.

Olympic Living Wage Project, 6-8 p.m., 1104 Rood Hall-- Speakers Jim Keady and Leslie Kretzu discuss their experiences in Indonesia trying to live on the wage of a Nike factory worker. Sponsored by the United Students Against Sweatshops.

"I Have a Dream" Speech Contest, 7 p.m., 210 Bernhard Center -- Students compete with oral presentations on the theme "Living the MLK Legacy in the New Millennium. Sponsored by the WMU Residence Hall Association.

Candlelight Vigil and MLK Reflections, 8 p.m., 204 Bernhard Center -- Michigan Rep. Kwame Kilpatrick will be the speaker for a vigil that will honor and reflect upon Martin Luther King Jr.'s life while stressing the importance of continuing King's mission into the 21st century. Sponsored by the WMU student chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Thursday, Jan. 18

Color Shine or Color Blind?, 10:30 a.m.-noon, 204 Bernhard Center -- Admissions experts from WMU and other institutions of higher education offer a roundtable discussion on diversity issues in university admissions standards. Sponsored by Career and Student Employment Services.

Hair Stress and Self-Esteem: Psychological Implications of the Idealized Standard of Beauty, 1-3 p.m., Division of Multicultural Affairs, 2nd Floor of Ellsworth Hall -- A lecture and video presentation that explores the ties between self-esteem and an idealized standard of beauty regarding hair styles, with an emphasis on how to break the negative cycle of hair stress and self-esteem. Sponsored by University Counseling and Testing Center.

Friday, Jan. 19

Dr. King's Legacy and the Empowerment of Underrepresented Persons in the Natural Sciences -- A day-long series of activities featuring Dr. Isiah Warner, Boyd Professor of Chemistry at Louisiana State University, that will focus on increasing the participation of underrepresented minorities in scientific education and careers. For more information, contact Dr. Gyula Ficsor, professor of biological sciences, at (616) 387-5633. Sponsored by Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry.


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