Chancellor Donde Plowman and Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement Tyvi Small invite all students, faculty, and staff to a series of events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium, the Office of Multicultural Student Life in collaboration with the Black Cultural Programming Committee and Commission for Blacks will present the Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Celebration.
Theotis Robinson Jr., an alum who received an honorary doctorate at last month’s commencement ceremony, will be the keynote speaker. Robinson pushed the university to desegregate in 1961, becoming one of the three first black undergraduate students at UT. He went on to serve in a number of staff roles at UT Knoxville and in the UT System, including vice president for equity and diversity.
On Thursday, January 16, Georgia State University Professor Maurice Hobson will deliver a lecture on King’s legacy, the myths surrounding it, and how it is presented in public memory. The lecture will be at 5:30 p.m. in Haslam Business Building Room 203.
On Saturday, January 18, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service will hold its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students, faculty, and staff will be placed with organizations around the Knoxville community to participate in volunteer projects. Be sure to sign up to take part in this long tradition of service.
On Monday, January 20, the Knoxville community will celebrate with its annual parade. Wear your orange and join me, the chancellor, and fellow Volunteers as we represent UT in the parade beginning at 8:30 a.m. To participate, sign up by Friday, January 17.