Lee University's Faculty Cultural Diversity Committee will host a series of events beginning Jan. 16, commemorating the work, theology, and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The events will consist of lectures, MLK-themed chapel services, a film showing, and a student panel.
“These events are an invitation for the Lee and Cleveland communities to celebrate diversity and to grow in our sense of empathy and understanding,” said Dr. Mary McCampbell, associate professor of humanities. “We also want to explore the prophetic truth of Dr. King’s famous assertion: ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
On Monday evening, Jan. 16, Lee will host the annual Dream Keeper awards ceremony on campus at 6 in the Dixon Center. Initiated by the Ministerial Fellowship, the NAACP, and the 100 Black Men of Bradley County, the Dream Keeper Award is given to honor the academic achievements of students in grades seven through twelve. This year’s ceremony features the music of Lee's Evangelistic Singers and an address from Mr. Greg Bagby, principal of Barger Academy of Fine Arts in Chattanooga.
Ron Hill, pastor of Cleveland Church of God Sanctified, will speak in chapel on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 10:40 a.m. in the Conn Center. Hill served for 33 years in education with Cleveland City Schools as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Since 2009, he has served as one of the field experience supervisors for student teachers from Lee University.
Later on Tuesday, the “Leebertarian” student club will host a lecture titled, “Let Justice Roll Down: MLK & Black Lives Matter,” by Dr. McCampbell. The lecture will focus on the similarities and differences between MLK’s approach and philosophy and that of the Black Lives Matter movement. This event will take place at 7 p.m. in Johnson Lecture Hall, located in Lee’s Humanities Center.
On Wednesday, Jan. 18, there will be a showing of Ava Duvernay’s powerful documentary, “13th,”which traces the narrative of black criminalization from the Reconstruction era to 2016. The movie will be shown in the Communication Arts Building, and snacks will be served before the film. After the film, attendees can participate in a discussion led by Dr. Arlie Tagayuna, assistant professor of sociology.
The week’s events continue on Thursday evening, Jan. 19, with a student panel, “Telling to Live: Testimonies of African American Students,” an opportunity for students to learn from their peers who will highlight their own experiences as African Americans in contemporary America. This event is sponsored and organized by the Student Leadership Council, and it will take place at 7 p.m. in the Edna Minor Conn Theater, located on the top floor of Lee’s Vest Building.
The week’s final event is a Student Leadership Council led workshop/discussion, “Help Me Be Sensitive,” that will be held on Friday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Dixon Center.
“This will be a time to discuss discrimination as it relates to race, gender, and religion, and a chance to learn together how to steward our privilege,” said Jill Welborn, the club’s staff sponsor and director of Student Development.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Dr. McCampbell at 614-8353 or mmccampbell@leeuniversity.edu.