UF celebrates King with 'MLK 2010: Leave Your Mark'

January 27, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida honors the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to social justice through a series of events Jan. 18-29.

This year’s celebration, “MLK 2010: Leave Your Mark,” will empower the students, faculty and staff to see their role in continuing the legacy of King, and inspire them to use their strengths, passions, and talents to better the lives of others and improve their local and global community.

“This year’s MLK Celebration empowers each individual to ‘make their mark’ by following Dr. King’s footsteps to create social justice in their sphere of influence,” said Natalia Leal, chairman of the UF MLK Jr. Committee and assistant director of Multicultural Affairs at UF. “The impact that UF can have on the world is truly limitless. Every day our professors change lives with their research and their discoveries, our students impact communities near and far through service and activism, and our university as a whole keeps impacting the students that will soon go out in the world to keep creating positive change.”

This year’s events, sponsored by UF’s MLK Committee and other campus organizations, includes a day of service, candlelight vigil and an inspirational speech by renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and philanthropist Dr. Ben Carson.

For more information or to register for events, please visit www.multicultural.ufl.edu/MLK.

Here is a schedule:

Monday, Jan. 18

MLK Day of Service
Plaza of the Americas, 8 a.m.
Volunteers must register online to participate. UF students will visit Reichert House Youth Academy, 1704 S.E. 2nd Ave., Gainesville, to paint, repair and create a music studio. The academy is an after-school program designed for at-risk males 11- to 18-years-old who need help making the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Volunteers will be there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MLK Annual Commemorative March
Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc.
MLK Memorial Gardens (starts at 1 p.m.) Bo Diddley Community Plaza in downtown Gainesville), 1-2 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

Candlelight Vigil
Reitz Student Union Amphitheater, 7 p.m.
The UF and Gainesville communities are invited to continue the movement toward social justice through music, dance and poetry. After the event, discussion will continue at the Orange and Brew.

Wednesday, Jan. 20

Community Conversation: Campus Experience
Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom, 7 p.m.
‘Campus Conversation’ is designed to bring students, faculty, and staff together to discuss relevant issues (e.g. faculty/student relations, diversity, access) that were highlighted in the 2009 UF Student Experience in the Research University survey.

Friday, Jan. 22

GatorNights! Various Events
Reitz Student Union, 6 p.m.- 2 a.m. There will be a viewing of “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story” at 8:30 p.m. in the Orange and Brew.

Monday, Jan. 25

Deconstructing Race: Politics, History and Science
Pugh Hall Ocora, 6 p.m.
A faculty panel will address facts, myths and misconceptions about race and its defining influence in our society.

Tuesday, Jan. 26

Volunteer Organization Fair
Sponsored by the Center of Leadership and Service
Reitz Student Union Colonnade, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Meet representatives from more than 60 organizations to learn more about community service and volunteer opportunities.

24th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Speaker: Dr. Ben Carson
Sponsored by Student Government, ACCENT, the Black Graduate Student Organization, Medical College Council, and Florida Opportunity Scholars
Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom, 7 p.m.
Dr. Ben Carson’s remarkable journey from tough, inner-city youth to history-making neurosurgeon illustrates the power everyone has to excel and influence others. Driven by a passion for science and helping those less fortunate, Carson pursued medicine and ultimately became one of the world’s most respected neurosurgeons.

Friday, Jan. 29

Writing on the Wall Closing Ceremony
Sponsored by Inter-Residence Hall Association
Plaza of the Americas, 1:15 p.m.
The Writing on the Wall Project asks community members to build a 40-by-9 foot cinderblock wall Jan. 26-30. At the end of the week, the community will come together to break down the wall, symbolically tearing down the barriers between us.