“Be The Change” is the theme of the University’s annual Commemoration Celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday at 7 p.m., Jan. 17 in Graham Chapel. The celebration is free and open to the public.
Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will begin the program with a welcome and remarks. The evening will include performances by Vashon High School’s drumline, the YMCA Boys Choir, the University’s Vision Gospel Choir and Black Anthology, as well as testimonials from University students.
A reception in the Women’s Formal Lounge in the Women’s Building follows the program. The Commemoration Celebration is sponsored by Black Anthology, Black Student Council, Bon Appetit, Campus Y, Catholic Student Union, Cornerstone, Disability Resource Center, Greek Life Office, the Psychology Department in Arts & Sciences, Residential Life, Student Activities, Student Affairs, Student Union and Wesley Fellowship.
This is the 18th year Washington University has supported a tribute to Dr. King. For more information, call (314) 935-5970.
Among other campus events slated to honor Dr. King:
The Black Law Students Association’s will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative speaker event. Susan R. Jones, professor of clinical law and supervising attorney of the Small Business Clinic at George Washington University, will present “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy: An Economic Justice Imperative” at 11 a.m. Jan.19 in Anheuser-Busch Hall.
Jones is the senior editor and past editor-in-chief of the American Bar Association Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law and author of A Legal Guide to Microenterprise Development. For more information, call (314) 935-4958.
The Business Minority Council will present a talk about King’s contributions toward equality in education and the workplace and how his efforts have affected African-Americans in the business world. The event will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 22 in Simon Hall. For more information, call (314) 935-7301.
In an effort to foster and encourage productive and proactive dialogue about race within the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University and the St. Louis region, the Society of Black Student Social Workers (SBSSW) will host “Forum on Race: The Dialogue Continues,” from 1-5 p.m. Jan 17 in Room 100 of Brown Hall. This event is free and open to the public.
The guest speaker for this event is Lee Mun Wah, a nationally acclaimed director, lecturer and diversity consultant. Mun Wah is a former junior high school teacher whose mother was murdered by an African American man. Working through his feelings about her death and race caused him to change careers and become a community therapist, specializing in diversity issues.
Mun Wah will present his film, Last Chance for Eden, a documentary featuring nine men and women engaging in an electrifying and honest conversation about the anguish and pain of dealing with racism, sexism and heterosexism in their lives and communities. For more information, contact Flewellen at (314) 935-9116 or at GWBMLK@gwbmail.wustl.edu.
The Washington University School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity Programs will present its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration lecture at 4 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Eric P. Newman Education Center. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, president of the University of Maryland and co-author of Beating the Odds, will speak. For more information, call (314) 362-6854.