Erin Blasinski
Managing Editor
The Milligan community will recognize Martin
Luther King Jr. day with a series of activities beginning on Jan. 12 and
continuing through Jan. 21.
“It’s very appropriate to recognize and celebrate this day,” said Dean of
Students Mark Fox. “It is unique to the history of America and had importance
worldwide so it is very appropriate for us to recognize this day as Christians.”
Academic Dean Mark Matson said that the idea for recognizing the day was first
brought up in the Academic Committee and then in the regular faculty meeting.
“Some of us had been discussing the need for some greater recognition of Martin
Luther King Day for some time,” Matson said, “but the issue really kind of arose
with strong conviction this year as we reviewed the calendar for next year.”
According to the faculty meeting minutes from Oct. 21, President Don Jeanes
reported that a “committee will be formed to determine how the campus community
can observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.”
Fox said that the plans came to him because student life will be involved with
the day’s activities. As stated in the faculty meeting minutes, a task force is
to include representatives from among the faculty and minority students. Fox
said that students and interested faculty and staff were involved with
brainstorming ideas.
Junior Deniece Kitchin is a member of the committee that helped plan the events
for celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“I’m glad it's finally happening and I'm excited to be a part of it,” Kitchin
said.
The Milligan community will have the opportunity to reflect on the life of King
throughout the week leading up to the national holiday set aside to remember
him.
According to the schedule of events approved by the cabinet, several events will
take place to honor King and African-American heritage.
During the week prior to the holiday, the Eyes on the Prize video series will be
played in McCormick Dining Hall.
On Monday, students will be encouraged to go and observe the day with
organizations in the surrounding area. Fox said that professors will be asked to
pause during their class periods and observe the influence of Martin Luther King
Jr.
On Tuesday, the fine arts area will be hosting an evening presentation dedicated
to King and African American heritage.
No day classes will meet on Wednesdays. Instead, the day will begin with brunch,
followed by a mandatory chapel/convocation credit. The service will be based on
Maya Angelou's poem “Still I Rise” and will include a presentation of the “I
have a dream” speech.
Following chapel, Milligan students and faculty are encouraged to dedicate the
afternoon to serving in the community. Those who participate will receive a
make-up chapel/convocation punch. Fox hopes that campus groups will take
advantage of this opportunity to serve the community.
“We don't just want to take a day off, but for it to be reflective of Martin
Luther King Jr.,” Fox said.
Matson is encouraging faculty “to be fully engaged with students in the service
activities in the community. This is not just a student thing; it is a campus
event.”
Kitchin said she hopes that students are excited about the opportunity to do
service and will want to get involved in the day’s events.
The planning committee of these events hopes it will be meaningful and
far-reaching.
“This celebration on our campus is part of our Christian witness to the need for
justice, equality and recognition that all people can and should play a part in
our society,” Matson said. “Especially since King was a Christian minister, and
the civil rights movement arose out of Christian convictions, I think it is
particularly important for the Milligan community.”