Hamilton College community members gathered on Monday, Jan. 17, to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. with a celebration dinner. The celebration, coordinated by Interim Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs Roxanne Bellamy-Campbell and her office included music, prayer, and a discussion about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what can be done to continue his "dream."
Natasha Jenkins '07, president of Hamilton's Black Student Union (BSU), and Denroy Thomas, '07, vice president of BSU, served as the evening's emcees. The Doc Woods Quintet provided jazz music throughout the evening.
The celebration began with brief introductions by Acting Dean of Students Nancy Thompson and Bellamy-Campbell. The Hamilton College Gospel Choir led the group in a rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
President Joan Hinde Stewart offered remarks regarding King and his legacy, "recognizing the man and what he stands for." She said that honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., reminds us of how far we have come as a nation and our abiding needs and challenges as a multicultural society. King was the last great non-elected American leader, Stewart noted. She urged attendees to not only remember him, but also to act; "there is still much to be done," Stewart explained.
Following a jazz tribute titled "The Boat People" by the Doc Woods Quintet, Chaplain Jeff McArn offered a pre-dinner prayer to honor and remember King, and to celebrate the "togetherness of our history and heritage."
During dinner Hamilton College professors, including Russell Blackwood, Todd Franklin, Jenny Irons, Esther Kanipe, Larry Knop, Vincent Odamtten, Douglas Raybeck, Chad Williams, and Steven Wu facilitated small group discussion at tables where students and faculty could discuss and remember Martin Luther King, Jr., his efforts and his successes in different ways.
The evening concluded with another prayer for peace and unity by McArn and Renny Usbay '06 and some final remarks by Dean of Faculty David Paris.
-by Emily Lemanczyk '05
