November 28, 2005
Purdue celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. with service, speakers
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University will honor the memory of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. beginning next month with a series of events to include a keynote speech by actress Nancy Giles and a lecture by film director Spike Lee.
The events are held in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which is Jan. 16. The theme of the university's 2006 Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is Affirming the Dream XI: Courage, Resilience, and Hope. The celebration kicks off Dec. 5 with a gifts-in-kind drive. Other activities include a keynote speech from comedienne and actress Nancy Giles, who also is a contributor to CBS Sunday Morning.
"This is the eleventh year Purdue has celebrated Dr. King's life, and each year we find new ways to honor his memory," said Alysa Christmas Rollock, vice president for human relations. "It's our responsibility as educators to continue his teachings and to encourage and support the diversity that he represents."
Sponsors are the Office of the Vice President for Human Relations in collaboration with the Diversity Resource Office, Black Cultural Center, African American Studies and Research Center, Office of the Vice President for Housing and Food Services and the Boiler Volunteer Network.
Events will include:
• Dec. 5 to Jan. 12. Gifts-in-kind drive. Donate non-food items to area service agencies by placing them in donation bins located at all University Residences locations and participating buildings across campus.
• Jan. 16. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Day of Service. Purdue students, faculty, staff members and retirees may volunteer for area non-profit organizations. Volunteers will spend time with one of more than 100 community-service agencies in Tippecanoe County, including those that work with animals, children, senior citizens, health care and the homeless. Volunteers must register before Jan. 12 through the Boiler Volunteer Network in Stewart Center, Room G4, or by calling (765) 496-2450. A volunteer appreciation luncheon will take place following the Day of Service.
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• Jan. 16. 7 p.m. University Celebration with keynote speaker Nancy Giles. Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. Giles is the writer and performer of several one-woman shows and has appeared on many television and radio shows. The evening also will include a presentation of the Purdue University Dreamer Award, given to an individual or organization whose contributions embody Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of service to others, as well as a performance by the Purdue Black Voices of Inspiration.
• Jan. 17. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Video retrospectives and discussion on "Martin Luther King Jr.: From Individual to Cultural Icon." The Diversity Resource Office will screen two one-hour films at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and hold a one-hour discussion at 12:05 p.m. led by Leonard Harris, professor of philosophy and African American studies. Faculty, staff and students may attend one or all of these activities.
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• Jan. 18. 7 p.m. An evening with Spike Lee. Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. Film director Spike Lee will speak about "African-American Images in Hollywood" at a free lecture presented by Purdue's Black Cultural Center.
More information about Affirming the Dream XI: Courage, Resilience, and Hope is available online.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Sources: Alysa Christmas Rollock, (765) 496-3781, acrollock@purdue.edu
Janice Beard, (765) 494-5830, jabeard@purdue.edu
Barbara Devine, coordinator of day of service and gifts-in-kind, (765) 496-7967, bdevine@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: For more information about the speakers, contact Maggie Morris at the Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu.
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