January 13, 2014

Variety of events will honor King’s life, legacy

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill.  -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will hold a variety of special presentations and activities to celebrate the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

A community celebration, a breakfast, a service day, a charity basketball tournament, guest speakers and other events will commemorate and celebrate the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader and minister.  

Alisa Warren will present “Happy Birthday:  Why We Celebrate the Day,” the keynote address, at 5 p.m., Jan. 22, at the Student Center Auditorium.   She will discuss the origin of the MLK holiday and the importance of honoring King and his legacy. 

Warren is the executive director of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights and was formerly director of diversity initiatives for the University of Missouri-Columbia as well as director of the Office of Equal Opportunity with the Office of Administration.  She earned her doctorate in community development with an emphasis in social disparity, a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in environmental design, all from the University of Missouri-Columbia.    

U.S. Rep. William L. Enyart, D-Belleville, and Royce Burnett, associate dean of SIU’s University College, will speak at the Carbondale Branch of the NAACP’s 32nd Annual MLK Commemorative Breakfast.  The breakfast is set for 7 a.m., Monday, Jan. 20, in the Student Center Ballrooms.  Tickets are $5 each and everyone is welcome.  

All other activities during the week are free and open to the public.     

In recognition of King’s involvement with Greek life and philanthropy, the campus National Pan-Hellenic Council is sponsoring a special activity. The 2014 National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20, will promote the spirit of volunteerism across campus and into the community. People are asked to honor King’s legacy through volunteering, donating to charities and performing random acts of kindness.  

The Progressive Masculinities Mentors will host “The Making of Martin:  A Movement of Mentors” panel discussion at 7 p.m., Jan. 23, in Lawson Hall, room 221.  The discussion will give participants the opportunity to learn about King and other civil rights pioneers and those who influenced them. 

The complete Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance 2014 event schedule is available online at www.inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu.  For more information, contact Derrick Williams at 618/453-3916 or by email at dlw10@siu.edu.  Or, visit the Center for Inclusive Excellence in Room C-318 at Woody Hall.