News Releases
Valparaiso University MLK Celebration to add New Orleans flavor
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Members of the community are invited to join Valparaiso University in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a week of activities that will include a New Orleans-style jazz funeral, civil rights art exhibits and keynote address by a prominent social justice activist.
The University’s annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and ideals will feature numerous activities – most of them free and open to the public – Jan. 17 through 24. A complete schedule is online.
On MLK Day, Jan. 21, Valparaiso’s kicks off campus activities with an MLK Convocation at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Resurrection. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Iva Carruthers, general secretary of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, a Chicago-based national interdenominational organization. Her presentation, “Beyond the Dream: The Vision, Values and Victory of a Prophet,” will discuss how Dr. King left a footprint for global justice and salvation in the 21st century and the need for people to move from celebration to action.
Following the MLK Convocation, a Creole-style meal will be served from the menu of Dooky Chase’s, a historic New Orleans restaurant where Dr. King and other civil rights leaders would meet during 1960s to discuss strategy. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Union and a limited number of tickets are available. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens, and must be purchased ahead of time by calling the Union Information Desk at (219) 464-5415 or online.
From 1:15 to 3:30 p.m., more than 20 focus sessions will be held in one-hour blocks at various locations on campus. Focus sessions will explore topics such as the culture of violence in America, Dr. King’s efforts to promote racial justice and labor rights in Memphis, the immigrant experience and Middle East conflict and reconciliation.
Adding to this year’s celebration, a group of 20 Valparaiso students have formed a New Orleans-style brass band, the Paradise Ramblers, which will lead a traditional jazz funeral in honor of Dr. King. The public is invited to join the Paradise Ramblers outside the Athletics-Recreation Center at 3:30 p.m. for a procession to the Chapel of the Resurrection, where the MLK jazz funeral will begin at 4 p.m. with sophomore Redrick Taylor of Chicago officiating.
Other activities during the week include:
• Jan. 17 – MLK Film Festival featuring a screening and discussion of the documentary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Historical Perspective, 7 p.m., Neils Science Center;
• Jan. 18 – Young Aspiring Artist Reception featuring MLK-related artwork by area high school students, 6:15 p.m., VU Center for the Arts; MLK Coffee House featuring National Poetry Slam Champion Shihan as well as student music, poetry and artwork, 8:30 p.m., Union;
• Jan. 19 – MLK essays, art and poetry prepared by fifth grade students at Northview Elementary School will be displayed and honored during the women’s basketball game, 1:30 p.m., Athletics-Recreation Center;
• Jan. 20 – MLK Celebration of Remembrance and Praise featuring Dr. King’s words and musical performances, 3:30 p.m., Chapel of the Resurrection; MLK Film Festival featuring a screening and discussion of American History X, 7 p.m., Union;
• Jan. 22 – “From Selma to Soweto to Srebrenica: An Injury to One is an Injury to All,” presented by Penelope Andrews, visiting professor of law and international human rights expert, 4:30 p.m., Wesemann Hall;
• Jan. 24 – Students in Valparaiso’s School of Law will debate the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, 4:30 p.m., Wesemann Hall;
Students, faculty and staff at the University also will participate in two service days as part of the celebration. On Jan. 19, University volunteers will install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in area homes and apartments. On Jan. 26, volunteers from Valparaiso’s School of Law will participate in a service project.
The public also is invited to view two MLK art exhibitions which are being displayed on campus Jan. 10 through Feb. 24.
Photographs by Stephen Marc are featured in “Walking in the Footsteps: Visual Interpretations of African American History” displayed at the Chapel of the Resurrection, while photographs of Civil War battlefields and other historic African American sites taken by William Williams will be presented in Strimbu Gallery of Photography at Valparaiso’s Center for the Arts.
Marc will discuss his artwork during two Jan. 21 focus sessions and an exhibition reception will take place at 5 p.m. that day in the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources to allow the public an opportunity to speak with Marc about “Walking in the Footsteps.”
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