EUGENE, Ore. -- (Jan. 11, 2012) – The University of Oregon will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with a full schedule of events, including series of lectures, service projects and performances from Jan. 16 to Jan. 21.
On Monday, Jan. 16, approximately 300 UO students, faculty, staff and community members will participate in 13 community service projects as part of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day On! to honor the accomplishments of Dr. King through service. The Day of Service is coordinated by the UO Service Learning Program, a partnership of the Holden Center and College of Education, along with United Way.
In addition, on Jan. 16, the UO will collaborate with the Lane County MLK Jr. Celebration Committee and the Associated Students of Lane Community College to host Dr. Joseph White, known as the ‘Godfather of Black Psychology.’ White’s keynote address will take place at 5 p.m. in the Erb Memorial Union Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.
For the past 50 years, Dr. White has enjoyed a distinguished career in the field of psychology and mental health as a teacher, mentor, administrator, clinical supervisor, writer, consultant, and practicing psychologist. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine, where he spent most of his career as a teacher, supervising psychologist, mentor and director of ethnic studies and cross-cultural programs.
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the UO Gospel Singers will perform at 6 p.m. at the EMU Fountain Courtyard. This free concert will showcase traditional and contemporary gospel songs from the two-time national award-winning Disney Gospel Choir Champions.
Also on Jan. 17, UO's Labor Education and Research Center (LERC) will host “HOPE IN HARD TIMES: A Conversation with Two of America’s Leading Organizers”at 7 p.m. at Room 175, Knight Law Center, Room. The talk will also take place the following evening at 7 p.m. at the UO in Portland’s White Stag Block, 70 N.W. Couch St.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, the Teach for American program will present “Movie With a Mission: Educational Equity” and “Waiting For Superman”at 6:30 p.m. in 110 Willamette Hall.
The 2012 UO MLK Jr. Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the EMU Ballroom. The ceremony will honor five individuals for their commitment to the ideals of Dr. King. 2012 honorees are: Donella-Elizabeth Alston, ethnic studies; Tayah Lin Butler, Lundquist College of Business; Shaul Cohen, geography; Reagan Le, Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence; and Dominick Vetri, School of Law.
Harvard University’s Dr. Lawrence Bobo will deliver a keynote address, “Postracial Dreams, American Realities: Does the Color Line Endure?”at 7 p.m. on Jan. 19, in the Giustina Ballroom, Ford Alumni Center. The event is part of the Center on Diversity and Community’s 10th anniversary celebration. The performance troupe “Rehearsals for Life” will open the event.
To cap the week, Dance Africawill have special performances on Friday, Jan. 20, and Saturday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m. in the Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex. Tickets are for sale at the EMU ticket office.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.
MEDIA CONTACT: Rita Radostitz, communications director, UO Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, 541-346-5741, rjr@uoregon.edu
LINK: http://oied.uoregon.edu/2012MLKevents
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