Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Evanston, IL campus of Northwestern University (NU) welcomed around 1,000 community members for their Martin Luther King Day celebration earlier this week. After a reception for MLK Day organizers and Northwestern University staff, the program participants – including the honorable Elizabeth Tisdahl, current mayor; NU President Morton Shapiro; Dean of Students Burgwell Howard; and Dr. Ben Carson – proceeded to the Pick Staiger Concert Hall.

Attendees were greeted by the beautiful sounds of the university's jazz small ensemble and the Alice Millar Chapel Choir followed with a lovely medley of spirituals.  Dr. Carson's keynote speech addressed the issues of today, corralling his thoughts around what he felt Dr. King would emphasize, including King's focuses on education, equality, respect, and personal responsibility for one's future and happiness. The event continued with an interview by journalism senior Dallas Wright, during which time Dr. Carson discussed topics such as the high school dropout rate and health care.

Dr. Carson was quickly transported to Northwestern’s other campus in Chicago for the DREAM (Day to Recognize the Efforts and Achievements of Martin - Dr. MLK Jr.) Event, an effort established through a committee of representatives from the NU Law School and Feinberg School of Medicine. Over 500 people gathered in Thorne Auditorium for this event. The 3Gs jazz ensemble and a community choir consisting of students and workers from the area inspired us with their energetic harmonies.

Mary Mitchell of the Chicago Sun Times moderated the conversation with Dr. Ben Carson which ranged from academics and scholarships to the perils of political correctness, and utilizing personal development as a means to success in life.  The message of making sure one takes advantage of the hard-fought-for opportunities provided by the sacrifices of Dr. King and many others also came through loud and clear!

In Maryland, the CSF office hosted its own day of MLK Day of Service, with volunteers helping us process and score 2012 scholarship applications. By the end of the day, our volunteers logged nearly 30 hours of service.