University of Arkansas Joins Community in Recommitting to Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Gerry Sloan, associate professor of music, will speak regarding the legacy of Dr. King. This event is free and open to the public.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas faculty, staff and students will come together with the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King during the week of Jan. 15 to 21. With the theme of "Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On.Not a Day Off," special events are offered each day to bring people together to recommit to making King's dream a reality.

In addition to campus and community presenters, two honored speakers will be featured at this year's events.

Esther Silver-Parker, Wal-Mart's vice president for diversity relations, will speak at the Recommitment Banquet at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Fayetteville Town Center. In addition, MLK Scholarships will be awarded, and individuals from Northwest Arkansas will be honored for outstanding community service.

Dr. Walter Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College, will deliver the annual lecture at 6 p.m. on Jan. 20 in the Alltel Ballroom of the UA Student Union. The lecture is followed by a reception in the UA Multicultural Center, and both events are free and open to the public.

As vice president of diversity relations for Wal-Mart Stores, Esther Silver-Parker is responsible for diversity efforts related to Wal-Mart's supplier development program and its philanthropic and community relations programs. She also strengthens Wal-Mart's relationships with diversity leaders and organizations in the communities it serves.

Kimbrough was recently named the twelfth president of Philander Smith College, a private historically black liberal arts college in Little Rock. Kimbrough, author of "Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities," has given more than 300 presentations on black Greek life at campuses and conferences. He received his doctorate from Georgia State University and was vice president for student affairs at Albany State University in Georgia.

Events on campus include a vigil at noon Jan. 17 at the Fulbright Peace Fountain, which follows the annual community Unity Award Program and MLK March. The program and march begin at 11:15 a.m. at the Walton Arts Center parking lot.

A series of lectures, free and open to the public, will be held at University of Arkansas Mullins Library. John Newman, associate professor of art, will speak on King's legacy at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18. Charles Robinson, associate professor of history and director of the African-American studies program, will speak at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Gerry Sloan, associate professor of music, will lecture at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21.

The University of Arkansas MLK Committee will sponsor a read-in from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at various locations on campus. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to read from King's writings at gatherings in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge, Walton College of Business and Old Main. More information is available from the UA Multicultural Center, 575-2064.

The campus activities are planned in concert with community events, including a community service project of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Jan. 15, a service of praise and reflection in St. James Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Jan. 15, and a memorial service sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at St. James Baptist Church. King Team Community Service Program activities will include a prayer breakfast at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Jose's Restaurant in Fayetteville, followed by youth unity activities at the UA Health Physical Education and Recreation building, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

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Schedule of Activities to Recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2004:

Saturday, January 15

Community Service Project - LifeSource International, 10 a.m.

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will sponsor a service project to offer transportation for the elderly with participants including fraternities, sororities, student organizations and members of the community.

Service of Praise and Reflection - St. James Baptist Church, 7 p.m.

This program, hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Planning Committee, will highlight leaders in the community who will reflect upon experiences from the time in which Dr. King was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. The program will also feature area choirs and choral groups.

Sunday, January 16

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service- St. James Baptist Church, 3 p.m.

Hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the service is dedicated to encouraging commemoration of Dr. King's birthday by promoting racial harmony, understanding, respect and goodwill among all people. The featured speaker is Angel G. Gomez, director of internal diversity relations for Wal-Mart Stores.

Monday, January 17

King Team Community Service Program

Prayer Breakfast - Jose's Restaurant, Dickson Street, 7:30 a.m.

The prayer breakfast brings youth together to reflect on how Dr. King's dream has affected their lives. Several youth will speak about freedom, equality and justice for all.

Youth Activity - University of Arkansas HPER building, 9 a.m.

After the prayer breakfast, youth will participate in unity activities from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the gym of the UA HPER building.

City Award Program and MLK March - Walton Arts Center Parking Lot, 11:15 a.m.

Fayetteville will honor a city employee who exhibits the spirit and legacy of Dr. King followed by the march to the Fulbright Peace Fountain on the University of Arkansas campus. This event is sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee.

Noon Vigil - University of Arkansas Fulbright Peace Fountain, noon

This event is sponsored by the Black Students Association and the Associated Student Government of the University of Arkansas.

Recommitment Banquet - Fayetteville Town Center, 7 p.m.

The featured speaker will be Esther Silver-Parker, vice president for diversity relations for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. In addition, the MLK Scholarships will be awarded, and individuals from the community will be honored for outstanding community service. This event will be hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students. For more information, contact Ulonda Crawford at 277-7383, John L. Cobert at 527-3610 or Ernestine Gibson at 575-3546.

Tuesday, January 18

Lecture Series - University of Arkansas Mullins Library, 2:30 p.m.

John Newman, associate professor of art, will speak on the legacy of Dr. King. This event is free and open to the public.

Wednesday, January 19

Lecture Series - University of Arkansas Mullins Library, 2:30 p.m.

Charles Robinson, associate professor of history and director of the African American studies program, will speak on Dr. King's legacy. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, January 20

Lecture and Reception - University of Arkansas Union, Alltel Ballroom, 6 p.m.

The annual King lecture will be delivered by Dr. Walter Kimbrough, president of Philander Smith College. A reception will follow in the UA Multicultural Center, and both events are free and open to the public.

Friday, January 21

Dr. Martin L. King Jr. Read-In - 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

This annual event is coordinated by the University of Arkansas MLK Committee to give members of the campus community and the public an opportunity to read and listen to works of Dr. King at gatherings in the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge, Walton College of Business and Old Main. Copies of Dr. King's writings will be available at the site or participants may bring a copy of his books or essays from which to read. For more information, contact the UA Multicultural Center, 575-2064.

Lecture Series - University of Arkansas Mullins Library, 2:30 p.m.

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Reed Greenwood, dean, College of Education and Health Professions, and co-chair, UA Martin Luther King Committee, (479) 575-3208, mrgreen@uark.edu

Danielle Wood, sponsorship chairperson, Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Planning Committee, (479) 575-4825, dlw11@uark.edu

Barbara Jaquish, communications director, College of Education and Health Professions, (479) 575-3138, jaquish@uark.edu

PHOTO: Photos of Walter Kimbrough and Esther Silver-Parker are available at, http://pigtrail.uark.edu/news .

REVISED: The lectures in Mullins Library on Jan. 18, 19 and 21 are now scheduled for 2:30 p.m.