In honor of one of the nation’s most respected civil rights activists, Union kicks of its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Series Monday, Jan. 18.
The week’s activities range from a community service fair to a drama by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright to a special home-cooked meal.
“The importance of serving others was one of Dr. King’s biggest doctrines as a social justice leader,” said Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, director of Multicultural Affairs, the office that heads this effort. “And one of the most important ways to bring about social justice is to serve others – by getting together to improve each others’ lives, by working to improve social equality by volunteering your skills and time.
“That’s why we have the Volunteer Opportunities Fair this year,” she added. “We’ll have organizations coming from all over the Capital Region to show students how to get involved.”
Several community-building events are also included in the week-long celebration, to bring together Union students, faculty and staff.
Events
Event: Building Community at Union: Desserts from Around the World & Conversations with Participants of the Civil Rights Public History Mini-Term
Date: Monday, Jan. 18
Time: 12:30-2 p.m.
Place: Reamer Campus Center, Room 305
Sponsors: Campus Diversity, Multicultural Affairs, History Department
Information: Contact Karen Ferrer-Muniz at ferrermk@union.edu
Event: Building the Dream through Service: 2010 Volunteer Opportunities Fair
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 19
Time: Noon-4 p.m.
Place: Old Chapel
Sponsors: Kenney Community Center, Wells House
Information: Contact Angela Tatem at tatema@union.edu
Event: “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a 1982 play by August Wilson that tells the story of a recording session with blues legend Ma Rainey and the white producer and agent who made themselves wealthy through her recordings. Performed by a touring company of Hamilton College students and directed by Mark Cryer, chair of the Department of Theatre at Hamilton.
Date: Friday, Jan. 22
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Yulman Theater
Presented by: Department of Theater and Dance
Information: Contact Charles Steckler at stecklec@union.edu
Event: A Celebration of Community: Cook, Chew, Chat. Join the Black Student Union, faculty and administrators for a home-cooked meal and a discussion about community.
Date: Sunday, Jan. 24
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Blue House
Information: To attend, sign up in the Student Activities Office. Contact Arkeisha Pace '11 at pacea@union.edu for details.