MLK Day activities beginning tonight

January 16, 2006 —

Every year the Office of Diversity Programs partners with one SVSU college for its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. This year is no exception.

"This is a partnership with the Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing and Health Sciences," said Dr. Mamie Thorns, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Programs.

The theme for this year's MLK celebration is "Vision 2006: Healthy People/Healthy Communities." The week begins with a Candlelight Vigil and March this evening, which will begin at 6 p.m. in the Rotunda and end at approximately 8 p.m. at the Bell Tower. Following the march and vigil will be a free viewing of the PBS special Eyes on the Prize in the Alumni Lounge.

"If Dr. King were alive today, he would be very proud," said Thorns, who plans to attend the march and vigil.

The main event for the week occurs Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Curtiss Hall Banquet Rooms. The keynote speaker is M. Joycelyn Elders, professor of public health at the University of Arkansas and former U.S. Surgeon General. Elders became the first African-American Surgeon General of the U.S. Department of Health when President Bill Clinton appointed her in 1993. Elders will address the future of health care in the United States.

"We have people from all walks of life who have purchased or will purchase tickets," said Thorns, who emphasized the importance of all the speakers for the evening.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event is Calvin McFarland, director of SVSU Minority Student Services. SVSU President Eric R. Gilbertson will welcome the audience. Current Michigan Surgeon General Kimberlydawn Wisdom, MD, MS, will greet the audience. The Heritage Singers, under the leadership of Iris Hayes, will follow with a musical selection.

SVSU English Lecturer Melissa Seitz will then introduce the Martin Luther King Jr. Essay contest winners, which include students Anderson Bearden, Ashley Talley, Steve Lewitzke, and Amanda Kay Cooper. The invocation will be given by Valeriah Holmon, KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Recipient and SVSU Nursing Graduate Student.

For the dinner portion of the event, Dr. Janalou Blecke, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, will give the introduction. Following Blecke will be Elders. Finally, Olga Munguia, KCP Future Faculty Fellowship Recipient and SVSU Nursing Graduate Student, will provide closing remarks. Music for the evening will be provided by the Jazz Quartet, directed by SVSU Jazz Artist-in-Residence Jeff Hall.

According to Thorns, it takes a lot of hard work to put such an event together.

"It was a success because we all worked together," Thorns said. "I'm very pleased with the way that SVSU celebrates Martin Luther King ... we keep the dream alive."

Tickets for the event, which includes dinner, can be purchased at the SVSU Box Office. Prices are $30 for the general public, faculty, and staff, and $6 for students. More events are planned for the following weeks.