On Feb. 1, 1968, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to an overflow audience at Manchester on “The Future of Integration.” Security was tight. Tensions were high. They were turbulent times for a divided nation grappling with race relations, social and economic inequality, and the entanglements of a protracted military conflict.
These remain vexing issues in America.
Throughout the 2017-18 academic year, Manchester University explored these topics as we pay tribute to Dr. King’s legacy.
We reflect on his teachings of nonviolence. We celebrate the lives of Manchester graduates who advanced the causes of justice and human dignity. And we have dedicated Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center where people from all walks of life gather for difficult conversations that lead to a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
At Manchester – where King delivered his last campus address before his assassination – we welcome each other as we are and then encourage each other to discover our best selves.
Related Events:
Aug. 29, 2017 – “This is Who We Are,”
Sept. 7, 2017 – Pre-screening of Ken Burns’ “The Vietnam War” episode and panel discussion
Sept. 21, 2017 – International Day of Peace observances
Oct. 24, 2017 – Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence
Nov. 6, 2017 – Sankofa: A Journey Toward Racial Righteousness
Nov. 15, 2017 – World Trivia Night featuring a category dedicated to MLK, Fort Wayne campus
Nov. 17, 2017 – World Trivia Night featuring a category dedicated to MLK, North Manchester campus
Dec. 10-31, 2017 – Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem video
Dec. 12-March 18 – Eulogies of Unrest exhibit in Gallery G of the Jo Young Switzer Center.
Jan. 25, 2018 – Eulogies of Unrest artists' reception, 4-5:30 p.m., Gallery G
Feb. 1
- 10 a.m. – The Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Lake, senior pastor at Union Baptist Church, speaks at Fort Wayne campus. Keynote address: "The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Love, Peace, and Courage"
- 2 p.m. – Formal groundbreaking ceremony for Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center.
- 2-4 p.m. – Reception for the exhibit “Bending Toward Justice: Dr. King’s Visit and the Manchester Legacy.” It features MLK photos, a timeline of race relations at MU, vignettes of several people highlighted in the fall Manchester magazine, a short documentary of Ted Studebaker and an original painting of MLK by Manchester’s own Jeff Diesburg. Exhibit Jan. 31-Feb. 28 in Otho Winger Hall, Link Gallery.
7 p.m. – Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance & Rededication Ceremony in Cordier Auditorium, with speaker Rev. Otis Moss, III, pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Keynote address: "Answering the Call"
Feb. 6, 2018 – "Fly, Run, Walk, Crawl – Keep Moving Forward" Spring Convocation; 3:30 p.m.; Cordier Auditorium (North Manchester campus)
Feb. 15, 2018 – Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance
Feb. 22, 2018 - Dr. David Ragland: "Martin Luther King and the Triple Evils: Grappling with Militarism, Materialism and Racism in our Time;" 7 p.m.; Cordier Auditorium (North Manchester campus)
March 9-11, 2018 – Civil Rights Heritage Trip to Memphis. Contact Jamie Dowdy if interested jldowdy@manchester.edu
March 15, 2018 – Poverty Law's Past and Future
March 27, 2018 – Choosing Peace: Insights from Local Peacebuilding Research and Practice
April 4, 2018 – Program in Petersime Chapel beginning at 6:45 p.m., At 7:05 p.m., the Chime tolls 39 times to mark the number of years Dr. King dwelled on this Earth. Lean more.