Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances at Indiana University
A resolution passed by the Trustees of Indiana University Jan. 24, 1997, provided for the university-wide observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In accordance with the resolution, which called for the university "to provide events which highlight the life and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King," community and university partnerships throughout the state have spent months planning commemorations of every type.
The following is not a comprehensive list of events. "Home Pages" suggests that you check local media outlets for additional information about MLK commemorations in your community.
- Events at :
- IU BLOOMINGTON
- IUPUI (INDIANAPOLIS)
- IU EAST
- IU KOKOMO
- IU NORTHWEST
- IU SOUTHEAST
IU BLOOMINGTON
Tuesday, Jan. 12
- WHAT: Teach-Ins
- TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Forest Quadrangle
SPONSOR: Residential Programs and Services, CommUNITY Educators
DESCRIPTION: Two programs--
"All God's Children" with a post-film discussion (contact Elise Hasler, 812-857-3348);
"In the House with Martin and Malcolm," a debate and discussion about the difference in styles of Dr. King and Malcolm X (contact Bushra Rehman, 812-857-4017)
Thursday, Jan. 14
- WHAT: Image Awards
- TIME: 5-7 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-State Room East
SPONSOR: BSU
DESCRIPTION: Awards are given to students and faculty who exemplify the ideals of Dr. King. RSVP by Jan. 13 to "iubsu@indiana.edu"
- WHAT: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Competition
- TIME: 7- 9 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Solarium
SPONSOR: 1999 IU Bloomington King Day Committee
DESCRIPTION: The top six essays will be read at a reception honoring the participants
CONTACT: A. B. Assensoh, 812-855-3903
Friday, Jan. 15
- WHAT: Professional Council Forum/ Brunch
- TIME: 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon
PLACE: Frangipani Room, IMU
SPONSOR: Bloomington Professional Council
DESCRIPTION: People who marched with Dr. King will relate their experiences
CONTACT: Teresa Spiegel, 812-855-7418
- WHAT: Teach-in
- TIME: 1- 6 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Mezzanine
SPONSOR: CommUNITY Educators
DESCRIPTION: "Eyes on the Prize," a documentary on the civil rights movement in the United States in the 1960s.
CONTACT: Jim Gillen (812-856-4463)
- WHAT: Concert 1, Solo, African American Composers
- TIME: 2 p.m.
PLACE: Auer Hall, School of Music Building
SPONSOR: IU School of Music
DESCRIPTION: A variety of musical selections is presented in the first Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Concert.
CONTACT: Eugene O'Brien (812-855-5541)
- WHAT: Concert 2, Solo, African American Composers
- TIME: 8 p.m.
PLACE: Auer Hall, School of Music Building
SPONSOR: IU School of Music
- WHAT: Sheryl Swoopes, Women's National Basketball Association
- TIME: 5:30 p.m.
PLACE: Assembly Hall
SPONSOR: Women's Students Association, Office for Women's Affairs
DESCRIPTION: Former College Player of the Year Sheryl Swoopes will have a presentation, reception and autograph session. Swoopes will participate in the tip-off for the women's basketball game (8 p.m.) following the presentation.
CONTACT: Carol McCord (812-855-3849)
Saturday, Jan. 16
- WHAT: Community Service Agency Volunteer Day
- TIME: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
PLACE: Various locations
SPONSOR: Student Activities Office and Volunteer Students Bureau
DESCRIPTION: IU student volunteers are given the opportunity to work with community volunteers at non-profit agencies in and around Bloomington. The volunteers will learn more about the agencies, their missions and the role of volunteers, all with the focus of breaking down the social and economic barriers that divide us as a nation and bringing people together for service to others. Transportation via Bloomington Transit will be free to IU student volunteers.
CONTACT: Darrell Ann Stone, 812-855-4311
Sunday, Jan. 17
- WHAT: Film showing: "Freedom on my Mind," a documentary film about the Mississippi Voter Registration Project and the Freedom Summer of 1964
- TIME: 3-5 p.m.
PLACE: School of Education Auditorium
SPONSOR: School of Education Lecture Series and the 1999 IU Bloomington King Day Committee
CONTACT: Janice Tharp, 812-855-9632
Monday, Jan. 18
- WHAT: Martin Luther King Day Breakfast, by invitation only
- TIME: 7:30 a.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Alumni Hall
SPONSOR: 1999 IU Bloomington King Day Committee
CONTACT: Vicki Roberts, 812-855-9632
- WHAT: "Read Out"
- TIME: 9 a.m-6 p.m.
PLACE: Monroe County Public Library
SPONSOR: Indiana Reading Team and Student Activities Office
DESCRIPTION: A multicultural "Read-Out" to raise awareness of children's literature and literacy issues, featuring presentations of children's books by diverse community and campus organizations. While children enjoy stories fostering sensitivity to all peoples and ways of life, parents can read information on literacy issues, parenting, and reading strategies. Parking is free for all participants at the IU Poplars Garage on Sixth Street.
CONTACT: Darrell Ann Stone, 812-855-4311
- WHAT: Variety of Music Ensembles
- TIME: Noon-5 p.m.
PLACE: Collins Living-Learning Center Coffee House
SPONSOR: Collins LLC
DESCRIPTION: Various vocalists and performers will present a musical celebration of the life of Dr. King.
CONTACT: Sara Ivey-Lucas, 812-857-9815 and Patricia Capps, 812-857-0131
- WHAT: Live Role-Play, "Archie Bunker's Neighborhood"
- TIME: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
PLACE: Collins Living Learning Center Coffee House
SPONSOR: Collins LLC
DESCRIPTION: Students will be assigned roles to play within this special neighborhood that explores diversity and multiculturalism
CONTACT: Sara Ivey-Lucas, 812-857-9815 and Patricia Capps, 812-857-0131
- WHAT: King Day Convocation
- TIME: Noon-1:30 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Whittenberger Auditorium
SPONSOR: IU Bloomington King Day Committee
DESCRIPTION: The program includes a brief biography of King, presentations by several student groups, musical selections and a pledge to King's ideals.
CONTACT: Vicki Roberts, 812-855-9632
- WHAT: Unity Summit
- TIME: 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Frangipani Room
SPONSOR: Black Student Union, IU Student Association and the IU Student Activities Office
DESCRIPTION: An honest, thought-provoking and much needed discussion concerning the issues of race relations and how campus constituents can continue to educate themselves and learn to honor and respect one another. Boxed lunches will be provided.
CONTACT: Darrell Ann Stone, 812-855-4311
- WHAT: Juan Williams
- TIME: 4-5 p.m.
PLACE: Indiana Memorial Union-Frangipani Room
SPONSOR: IU Bloomington King Day Committee
DESCRIPTION: Greetings and book signing by one of the best known journalists in America.
CONTACT: Vicki Roberts, 812-855-9632
- WHAT: Juan Williams
- TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Bloomington High School South Auditorium, 1965 S. Walnut Street
SPONSOR: IU Bloomington King Day Committee and City of Bloomington King Committee
DESCRIPTION: Keynote address by one of the nation's foremost political analysts. Williams dares to examine the gray in the often black-and-white world of politics and race relations in America.
CONTACT: Vicki Roberts, 812-855-9632
IUPUI (INDIANAPOLIS)
Monday, Jan. 18
- WHAT: Farai Chideya, political analyst, journalist and author will speak at an invitation only breakfast.
- PLACE Madame Walker Theatre Center ballroom, 617 Indiana Ave
TIME: 8:30 a.m.
DESCRIPTION: Chideya is the national affairs editor for "Vibe" magazine. She also has been a contributing reporter for "Time" and "Newsweek."
- WHAT: Public Service Projects
- PLACE: IUPUI faculty, staff and students will join the public in service projects at local community centers.
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon
DESCRIPTION: The IUPUI Center for Public Service and Leadership is coordinating the service activities, which also will include assistance at an IUPUI youth basketball clinic (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., IUPUI Gymnasium, led by men's basketball coach, Ron Hunter). The IUPUI Diversity Classic, where the men's basketball team will face Belmont University, is scheduled at 2 p.m.Additional service projects, supported by a $5,000 grant from the National Corporation for Community Service, have been planned by faculty, staff and students.
CONTACT: Clinic info: 317-237-5038. For info on other community service projects, call 317-274-5576.
- WHAT: 29th Annual King Day Dinner
- PLACE: Omega Conference Center, 3110 Sutherland Ave., Indianapolis
TIME: 7 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: Nationally renowned writer and scholar Lea E. Williams, executive director of the Bennett College Women's Leadership Institute and author or a recent book chronicling the achievements of black leaders of the 1960s, will be the keynote speaker.
SPONSOR: The IUPUI Black Student Union. The IUPUI Martin Luther King Dinner is the longest running King celebration in the city. A limited number of tickets remains available for advance purchase, but no tickets will be sold at the door. The cost is $15 for IUPUI students and $25 for faculty, staff and the community.
IU EAST
Thursday, Jan. 21
- WHAT: MLK Jr. Celebration
- TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Vivian Auditorium, IU East
SPONSOR: IU East Lively Arts Series
DESCRIPTION: The Rev. Ron Chappell, pastor of the New Life Church of the Nazarene in Richmond, will speak. His lecture is titled "It's Time to Wake Up!" The church congregation and choir will be attending and the campus' first Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Multicultural and Diversity Enhancement Award will be presented. A reception will follow in the Community Room of Whitewater Hall.
IU KOKOMO
Friday, Jan. 15
- WHAT: "Celebrating Dr. King's Dream" luncheon
- PLACE: Kelley Center, Room 130
TIME: 11:30 a.m.
DESCRIPTION: The afternoon will highlight the accomplishments of IU Kokomo minority students and alumni. Guest speaker will be Dan Hogan, principal of Bon Air School.
Sunday, Jan. 17
- WHAT: MLK Celebration '99
- PLACE: IUK Havens Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St.
TIME: 3 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: Join Omicron Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Sorority and
IU Kokomo in honoring King's accomplishments with music featuring the Lutheran Bell Choir; Chris Washington, music director for Second Missionary Baptist Church; and Monty Sanders, music director of Oakbrook Community Church.
IU NORTHWEST
Friday, Jan. 15
- WHAT: "heartBEAT" a musical about love, hate and rhythm performed by Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit
- TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Theatre Northwest
Friday, Jan. 29
- WHAT: "Empowerment and the Media," a presentation of talk show host and author Tavis Smiley
- TIME: 7 p.m.
PLACE: Raintree Hall, Room 102
DESCRIPTION: Smiley is the host of Black Entertainment Television's "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley," an one-hour news magazine show. He also can be heard weekday mornings on "The Tom Joyner Morning Show" addressing contemporary issues, politics, race and culture.
Other activities:
- WHAT: "Empowerment Through Film" featuring Spike Lee films
- PLACE: Raintree Hall, Room 102
DESCRIPTION: All films will be followed by group discussion. The schedule includes: "Four Little Girls," Jan. 19 and 20 from noon to 2 p.m.; "Malcom X," Jan. 25 and 26, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; "Do the Right Thing," Feb. 3 and 4, noon to 2 p.m.; "He Got Game", Feb. 8 and 9, noon to 2 p.m.; and "Get on the Bus," Feb. 23 and 24, noon to 2 p.m.
Monday, March 1
- WHAT: "Global Black Feminist Agency," a round table discussion featuring Beverly Guy Sheftall, Spelman College; Barbara Ransby, University of Illinois at Chicago; R.A. Azodo, IUN minority studies adjunct; and Thandabantu Iverson, IUN labor studies.
- PLACE: IUN Library Conference Center
TIME: 1-4 p.m.
CONTACT: Department of Minority Studies (219-980-6629)
IU SOUTHEAST
Wednesday, Jan. 20
- WHAT: Fourth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Soup Line
- PLACE: UC Hallway across from University Police Building
TIME: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
DESCRIPTION: The event is meant to raise awareness of hunger and funds to combat hunger in the community. Participants will be asked to donate their lunch money to the hungry and receive a free bowl of soup and a drink.
SPONSOR: Volunteer Center
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