Martin Luther King Jr.’s notion that people “must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience,” was offered to inspire this year’s UO annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award nominations.
Faculty members, staff and students who embody those values and who work towards increasing diversity, equity and inclusion on campus were nominated for the awards this year. Winners were chosen in each of four categories, including a new student award, and will be honored at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 11:30 a.m. in the Erb Memorial Union ballroom. An RSVP is required for the event.
In addition to the presentation of awards by Provost Patrick Phillips, the event includes musical performances, a gallery walk, Martin Luther King Jr. tributes by faculty members, staff and students, and remarks by UO President Michael Schill and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Yvette Alex-Assensoh.
Lesley-Anne Pittard, assistant vice president for campus and community engagement for the Division of Equity and Inclusion, said she is looking forward to coming together as a community and “honoring UO members who work so fervently and authentically to make our campus equitable so all students belong and are successful.”
“Although our society is not newly experiencing challenging times, we are indeed navigating a complex moment in history,” she said. “As Dr. King explained, we must be guided by our conscious and be intentional in our work. The efforts of our campus, our award winners, and many others, are helping us create a more equitable, inclusive and diverse society, as King references.”
This year the award categories include drum major (formerly the social justice award); LACE: love, authenticity, courage and empathy; outstanding diversity practitioner; and the student inaugural influencer award.
“We need opportunities to elevate and shine a light on the contributions of members of our beloved community,” Pittard said. “We also must look forward to and prepare for the ongoing work of evolving in such a way that allows us to be at peace with who and how we are as a campus community.”
Other events on campus and in the community are happening to honor King.
The Division of Student Life will present speaker April Reign on Jan. 21. Reign is the creator of the viral hashtag-turned-movement #OscarsSoWhite.
The Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement will hold an MLK Day of Service on Jan. 20 with registration starting at 9 a.m. in the Global Scholars Hall Great Room. Teams will break into small groups, travel to service projects and return for lunch and reflection. The event concludes at 3 p.m.
On Jan. 20, the city of Eugene and Eugene/Springfield NAACP will hold the annual NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. community march, followed by a program at the Shedd Institute for the Arts. Springfield will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. march and celebration at the Springfield Justice Center and Springfield High School.
—By tova stabin, University Communications