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Leader inspires faculty
members
By Laura Pelner
Campus
Editor
One Purdue professor saw Martin Luther King Jr.
speak.
Purdue's president said King influenced him as
a young man.
Another Purdue faculty member has committed her
life to building bridges between people using King's beliefs as a model.
Leonard Harris, a professor of philosophy and African
American Studies, said he heard King speak at a Baptist church in Cleveland.
"He presented an alternative vision of a better world. I think we ought
to take that with us," said Harris.
Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, the director of the Diversity
Resource Center, said her personal commitment to King comes from the
idea that he thought human beings needed to know themselves well enough
to believe in themselves and others.
"I think King really epitomizes a person who was
more concerned with others than with what happens to himself. His main
concern was how do we, as civilized people, care about the world we
live in and the people in that world," said Simpson-Taylor. "It's not
a black thing or a white thing. That's the philosophy I live by."
Purdue President Martin Jischke added that King
was an extraordinary national leader. "He had an amazing ability to
articulate in poetic and persuasive ways our most cherished values and
how important it was to make those values come alive for all Americans,"
said Jischke. "His speech 'I Have a Dream' is one of the great speeches
of the 20th century. I think it's important that we continue to celebrate
not just for him as a person but for the ideas he had and died for."
The vice president of Purdue Student Government,
Patrick Mondi, offered another opinion. "(King symbolizes) challenging
the status quo, leading in a way that challenges the quo and getting
society to develop a better way of thinking of things."
On Monday, Harris, Simpson-Taylor, Jischke and
Mondi all hope that students spend some time remembering why there are
no classes.
"I hope (students) will reflect for some time on
Monday the meaning of his life and his ideas and think a bit about their
opportunities and roles," said Jischke.
Simpson-Taylor said that she wants students to
realize their obligation to society. "I'm hoping students, if they don't
do anything else, believe that they have a responsibility in the little
corner of the world that we're in to make sure that corner is peaceful,
fair, has dignity and has integrity," said Simpson-Taylor. "(King) made
a large sacrifice. If we can get people to make a small sacrifice, an
act of kindness (that would help)."
A professor on campus is ensuring that students
spend time thinking about King through an assignment for Monday. "One
of my teachers is having us research (King) and I think a lot of the
faculty should consider doing it," said Mondi. "Having the students
reflect on the legacy that is King, the positive impact he's had on
society and culture (is important). One man can make a difference if
you have the courage to do what's right."
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Jischke
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Leader
inspires faculty members
Center
to host tribute honoring King
Volunteers
to use day for service
Workshops
to educate in diversity
Black
Student Union to hold peace march
RSC
opens portable court
CAMPUS DESK PHONE:
(765)
743-1111 ext. 253
Campus editor:
Laura Pelner
Assistant campus
editors: Kurt Esposito,
Dave Stephens
To
send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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