Message from the Office of the President: Honoring Dr. King

Dear Twin Cities students, faculty, and staff,

During the upcoming three-day weekend, we will honor the life and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In particular, we welcome you to join the campus community in a live tribute and concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, which will also recognize the life and legacy of John Lewis.

In December 2016, I was fortunate to be in Congressman Lewis’ orbit for just a short time when the University of South Carolina, where I then served as Provost, recognized him with an honorary degree. During his commencement speech, Congressman Lewis noted that in 1955, as a 15-year-old 10th grader, he first heard the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the radio during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. King’s words inspired him, and Congressman Lewis sought to do the same for the 2016 graduates by closing with a forceful charge. He said, “... Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous. And use your education, your training, to redeem the soul of our nation, and maybe help to make the world a better place for all human beings.”

As we observe this national and University holiday, we pay tribute to Dr. King’s legacy, and to Congressman Lewis’ charge, and the role that each of us can play in continuing their important work. We also do so in recognition of, and at a time when, our world is facing public health, economic, political, racial justice, and other crises—all simultaneously, with impacts that intersect in significant ways. While we have made some progress and our commitment remains strong, last week’s events in Washington, D.C. remind us that we still have work to do. However, I remain hopeful by the opportunity to recommit to service with all of you, and by the daily examples of dedication and kindness that uplift us all.

In this same spirit, I hope you will consider joining me at Sunday’s tribute concert or participating in a few of the following sources of inspiration.

1. Visit the 2021 University of Minnesota Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Pledge Drive site hosted by our Office for Public Engagement. Inspired by the National Day of Service—marking Dr. King’s birthday—this systemwide community service campaign promotes opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and retired members of our University family to pledge and participate in virtual and remote activities that serve our neighbors and communities.
2. Consider opportunities in your area that will benefit communities important to you or that need it most. The site above includes resources for finding service opportunities in each of our campus communities.
3. Take the pledge to volunteer in the coming weeks or months so we can appreciate our collective impact.

As a University community, we also serve by fostering learning and engagement with the arts. Accordingly, I also invite you to explore a new initiative my office is launching in partnership with many across campus and the community called Voice, Art, and Community: A UMN Series. This new series will be ongoing and highlights important perspectives and voices in our community and offers the chance to connect with artists. The first of these events are:

• Tuesday, January 26: The Resmaa Menakem virtual event called “Racial Healing, Equity, and Justice.” My office is pleased to join the Office for Student Affairs, the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), and other partners in sponsoring this event, which is part of the Kellogg Foundation’s National Day of Racial Healing event series.
• Thursday, January 28: “Crafting Black Visual Narratives in a Post-Uprising America.” The moderated conversation with Black artists about their work and what it means to create Black art in America is sponsored by UROC.

Please look for more events in the coming months.

With warmest appreciation and yours in service,
Joan Gabel