Focus Session III
3:00-3:50

Selections from the Brauer Museum of Art’s Permanent Collection
Presenter: Gregg Hertzlieb, Brauer Museum of Art
Brauer Museum of Art, VUCA

The Brauer Museum will display works by artists who address issues of justice, cruelty and tolerance from diverse ethnic and gender perspectives. During each session, the museum director will give a lecture that explains each work in depth.

A New Time, A New Voice
Presenter: Martin Erhardt, Department of Chemistry
Mueller 01

In this session a video detailing the life of Dr. King will be presented. Following the video, participants will be given the opportunity to discuss what they consider to be some of the important shaping parts of Dr. King’s life, who he was, and what his life means to us today.

Meeting the People, Falling in Love
Presenters: Josie L. Norberg, Kristin Sanders, Emily Miller, Claire Peeples, Stacy Gherardi, Kristen Schacht, Jackie Menke, VU students
Mueller 02

Using the context of a student missionary trip to Latin America, this session will explore the topic of prejudice and promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds. Learn how, through dialogue and working alongside people of different cultures, we come to an awareness of the similarities of all our hopes and dreams.

Black vs. Black ...Why Is There Separation?
Presenters: NaTasha Henry and Samuel Jelks, Black Student Organization
Mueller 04

Are divisions within the Black community real or artificial? What are the obstacles to Black unity and how can they be eliminated? A candid discussion of a sensitive subject.

How Urban Fashions are Viewed and Used
Presenters: NaTasha Henry and Samuel Jelks, Black Student Organization
Mueller 05

An open discussion of how urban fashion has been popularized and used in the African-American community and the personal views/stereotypes that it produces.

Racial Equality and the Bible
Presenters: Charles and Sue Nathan, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Mueller 114

In this session, participants will be introduced to an overview of passages in the Bible dealing with racial equality and ways to make them a part of our everyday patterns of living. In so doing, we will be examining how our dreams and hopes align with God’s and then how to make these dreams become reality.

Service: A Call to Action
Presenter: Stacy Stoldorf, Coordinator of Student Activities and Volunteer Programs
Mueller Commons

Do you sometimes wonder what your life will be about? Have you felt called to serve but are unsure where, and how to get involved? Come hear from current student leaders who are actively engaged in our community and how it has changed their lives. You will also have the opportunity to sign up for a special service project. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to explore and reflect on how service can enrich your life.

Biblical Principles for Reconciliation and Relationships
Presenter: Dr. Raleigh B. Washington, Convocation Speaker
Mueller Refectory

In this interactive session, Dr. Washington will cover eight Biblical principles for reconciliation and relationships and will give five steps to respond to the present and live for the future.

My Country, My World: Visions for the Future
Presenters: Elise Harbin, Julie Jones, and Becky Shelton, INTERLINK Language Center
Union Crusader Room

A panel of international students from INTERLINK Language Center will present and discuss their visions for their countries and how these visions intersect with their hopes for the future of the world community. We hope that both panel participants and session members will come to share their personal visions and hopes for our world. A variety of formats such as poetry, art, and spoken word will be encouraged.

Educating and Advocating for Change: A Look at Tobacco and Smoking on College Campuses
Presenter: Natalie Rivich, Smokefree Indiana
Union Squire Room

Tobacco has many faces on a college campus: the issue can be in the form of a smoking cigarette, wandering smoke, cigarette butt litter, or a flyer for a tobacco-sponsored event. Come learn how the lessons taught by Martin Luther King have helped expand the anti-tobacco movement to address the issue on many levels, including the sale of tobacco, the increase in college smoking, and the targeting of students by the tobacco industry.

A Taste of Diversity
Presenters: Kacy Mullen, Carrie Gross, Rachel Knoke, Student Social Work Organization
VUCA Lobby

This session will welcome all age groups, including children. “Diversity Beads” will be used to illustrate the impact of stereotypes and the discussion will focus on the connection between stereotypes and aspirations.

“We’re Not in Kansas Anymore”: Deaconess Service in Multi-Cultural Settings
Presenters: Diane Marten, Julia Peters, Gloria Stubitsch, Nita Cunningham, Lutheran Deaconess Association
VUCA 1412

The session begins with an experiential exercise in cooperation and continues with stories from three deaconesses who serve(d) in diverse cultural locations. Through reflection and the sharing of experiences, this program will encourage participants to identify ways to act and serve cooperatively with diverse populations.

Buffalo Soldiers: 1866-World War II
Presenter: Tom Beebe
VUCA 1409

The Civil War had ended and the slaves were now free. A unique group of men would be formed and become later known as “Buffalo Soldiers.” Although most of them had the skills to be farmers, they wanted something more, and that came when the United States reestablished two black cavalries and four black infantries. Learn about the history of these newly freed men who fought bravely for their country in spite of severe hardship and discrimination.

African-American Writing: Dreams, Hopes, Actions
Presenter: Mollie Sandock, Department of English
VUCA 1420

Everyone is encouraged to bring their favorite selections from African-American authors to this “read-in” which will reflect the hopes and dreams of Black writers in America. Works from all genres (poetry, excerpts from stories, novels, speeches, plays, etc.) are welcomed. Learn how African-American writing gives voice to generations and centuries of hopes and dreams.

Promoting Dreams, Hope and Action: Social Work’s Response
Presenters: Lou Jeanne Walton, Lorri Petties and Matthew Ringenberg, Department of Social Work
VUCA 1416

This panel presentation will focus on the social work profession’s response to social issues on a micro, messo, and macro level. The presenters will illustrate how human relationships can promote individual dreams, instill hope and be a catalyst for action.

A White Man’s Journey on the Path of Life and How Martin Luther King Influenced His Dreams, Hopes, and Actions
Presenter: Jerry Hager, Motivational Speaker
VUCA 1422

Martin Luther King influenced many people directly and personally. His life, words and deeds opened the mind of this small town Indiana boy and changed him forever. Wherever the speaker has traveled, from Birmingham to Memphis, from Chicago to Savannah, from the 16th Avenue Baptist Church to Ground Zero in New York City, King’s shadow has followed. This is the story of that continuing journey.

Return to MLK Day 2003 Home Page