December 18, 2024

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

‘Little Rock Nine’ Member to Speak at UMW, Jan. 21

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Ernest Green, one of nine students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, will give the keynote address as the University of Mary Washington celebrates the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Wednesday, Jan. 21.   Ernest Green, member of the Little Rock Nine Green will discuss his life and experiences as one of the Little Rock Nine, in addition to its impact on the civil rights movement and society today. The presentation will take place at 7 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. The event is open to the public free of charge. As a member of the Little Rock Nine, Green became the first African-American student to graduate Little Rock High School. In 1999, Green, along with other members of the Little Rock Nine, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded to a civilian. Presented by then-President Bill Clinton, the award recognized Green’s bravery during integration at the Arkansas public school. UMW also will participate in MLK Jr. Kids Day on Sunday, January 18. The annual community celebration includes games and crafts for children from 3-4 p.m. at James Monroe High School. Additional information about the event is available by contacting UMW’s Center for Honor, Leadership and Service at (540) 654-2272. For more information about the keynote address, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or via email at umwjfmc@gmail.com.

UPDATE: UMW Will Commemorate MLK Day With Week of Events

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The University of Mary Washington will commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with a weeklong celebration of lectures, events and community service, beginning Sunday, Jan. 19. The university was closed on Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of the holiday.

UMW's celebration of Martin Luther King will kick off with MLK Kids Day on Jan. 19.

UMW’s celebration of Martin Luther King will kick off with MLK Kids Day on Jan. 19.

On Sunday, Jan. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m., children from the local community were invited to join UMW students at James Monroe High School for an afternoon of games, activities and crafts at the annual MLK, Jr. Kids Day. The free event was sponsored by the UMW Office of the President; James Farmer Multicultural Center; Office of Honor, Leadership, and Service; and Multicultural Outreach Effort (MORE).

Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine, will present the keynote lecture on Jan. 21.

Ernest Green, one of the Little Rock Nine, will present the keynote lecture on Jan. 21.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. keynote address on Tuesday, Jan. 21 by civil rights icon Ernest Green has been canceled due to adverse weather conditions. Green was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who, in 1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. In 1958, Green was the first African-American student to graduate from the school. In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded the members of the Little Rock Nine the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor given to a civilian, for outstanding bravery during the integration of Little Rock Central High School.

The celebration will culminate in a day of service for the campus community on Saturday, Jan. 25. Volunteers should register at http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/ or by phone at (540) 654-1044. On Saturday, volunteers will meet at Lee Hall, Room 411 at 10 a.m.

For more information and a full list of events, visit http://students.umw.edu/multicultural/programs/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration/ or call (540) 654-1044.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Events Next Week

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Marc Lamont Hill

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will include a keynote lecture, a film and discussion and a day of service.

Keynote Speaker: Marc Lamont Hill
Sponsored by the Office of the President
Wednesday, Jan. 18
4 p.m, Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall

Activist, social critic, and scholar Marc Lamont Hill is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s most notable African-American leaders. An associate professor at Columbia University, he has emerged as an important voice in a new generation of public intellectuals. With a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, Hill has focused his research on the intersections of youth culture, identity, and educational processes.
In his inspirational keynote speech, Building Toward the Dream: Progress in the Age of Obama, Hill will address political activism and social change in today’s society. He will speak about the importance of honest communication about both the past and present to precipitate social progress. Martin Luther King, Jr. was known for his ability to connect with individuals and inspire them to work for social justice. Hill hopes to remind people of King’s legacy and encourage them to continue to work for social change.

Film and Discussion: King: Man of Peace in a Time of War
Sponsored by Omicron Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Thursday, Jan. 19
6 p.m., Lee Hall, room 411

In the 2007 documentary King: Man of Peace in a Time of War, an archived interview with Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as interviews with Jesse Jackson, Colin Powell, and others, gives an in-depth look at King’s dream of peace. During a time of unrest, when the Vietnam War and civil rights movement were at the forefront of the world’s mind, King still expressed hope and a strong belief that one day there would be peace. This influential documentary provides an intimate look into King’s life and thoughts; it is a tribute to the man whose strong will and pursuit of equality is still an inspiration.

MLK, Jr. Day of Service
Saturday, Jan. 21
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. This year, the UMW MLK, Jr. Day of Service will focus on service projects that recognize Dr. King’s dedication to addressing social justice issues, such as poverty and public health. All members of the campus community are invited to participate in the UMW MLK, Jr. Day of Service. Honor Dr. King’s legacy by giving back and getting involved with the Fredericksburg community. Please register online at the James Farmer Multicultural Center website. Community service projects are available in three- or four-hour increments. To sign up, please download the following form and return it to our office in Lee 211, click this link to sign up online,  or contact the Office of Community Service at 540-654-1122.