Living the Dream: Faith in America's Future is Topic for 2013 MLK Celebration

by Susan Sullivan
January 8, 2013

High school students, parents, civic leaders, business executives, and local residents are invited to join Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) students, faculty, and staff on Monday, January 21 from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. to honor the life and lasting legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

The university will host a panel discussion on diversity, equality, and multiculturalism as it relates to “Living the Dream: Faith in America’s Future.”

 

The informal discussion, which will include opportunities for attendees to ask their own questions of panelists, relates to Dr. King’s dream for America and how it might shape President Obama’s inaugural address as he begins his second term in the oval office.

 

“IUPUC’s celebration promises to be an impactful event. We will explore the paradox between
the nation’s progress in equality as symbolized by the re-election of our first African-American president and the apparent regression in race relations as evidenced by a spike in hate speech, profiling, and hate crimes,” explains Dr. Sandra Miles, director of student affairs and the university’s diversity officer.

 

Miles believes the event will spark continued conversations throughout the community in the coming year. “The breadth of knowledge and insight our panelists offer will be of interest to attendees of all ages and backgrounds,” she said.

 

Panelists include:       

  • Dr.Khaula Murtadha, associate vice chancellor for lifelong learning and executive director of the Community Learning network, IUPUI
  • Dr. Ryan Neville-Shepard, assistant professor of communication studies, IUPUC
  • Frances Jordan, J.D., deputy director, Columbus Human Rights Commission
  • Pastor Jarvis Cooper, Faith ministries Nondenominational Church of Columbus

The free event will be held in the Columbus Learning Center’s Lecture Hall & Auditorium, which is located at 4555 Central Avenue in Columbus. Ample parking is available.

A complimentary lunch will be served at noon immediately following the panel discussion in the Student Commons, which is directly adjacent to the lecture hall.

After lunch, attendees are invited to remain on campus to watch the president’s inaugural address in the auditorium, Miles added.

 

For more information, please contact Dr. Miles at 812.314.8539 or smiles3@iupuc.edu.