History and Mission

The Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Black Student Union, and the William G. and Rose M. Mays lectureship fund events to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

King was an American clergyman, sociologist, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience. King has become a national icon in the history of American progressivism.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Annual Celebration occurs on the 3rd Monday in January.

History of Events

• The first sponsored lectureship occurred in 2003 at the University of Evansville.
• The first Symbolic March of the 1963 Historic March in Washington occurred in 1984 at the University of Evansville.
• From 2021 - 2023, the Symbolic March focused on the Voting Rights March from Selma, AL to Montgomery, AL of 1965. This 54 Miles to Social Change virtual symbolic march enabled individuals and teams across the country to participate. Connections with this event and the Journey to Justice Summer Bus Tour started in 2021.
• MLK events typically include a march, rally, faith-based services, community leadership panel, unity conference, awards, and May’s Lectureship Program.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program Committee

Statement of Purpose: UE’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Committee exists to organize, coordinate, and plan activities commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. This federal holiday is observed on the third Monday in January.

Function: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Committee shall plan an appropriate celebration during the academic year to commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. The Committee will plan one year in advance to obtain suitable speakers and schedule activities. The Mays Martin Luther King Lectureship will annually fund the keynote speaker during the annual Martin Luther King Day celebration.

Membership: The committee shall consist of the Senior Diversity Officer, three faculty appointed by the Faculty Senate; two students, one of whom will be from the minoritized student population, appointed by the President of the Student Government Association; the University Chaplain or designee; an Associate Dean of Students, and community representation as deemed by the deed of the gift from the Mays. The chair of the committee will be the Senior Diversity Officer or designee.

Committee Membership

• Ms. Bre Bondurant (Spiritual Formation & Development)
• Ms. Arika Brown (Special Events)
• Ms. Abagail Catania (Student Engagement)
• Dr. Lisa Hale (College of Education and Health Sciences Representative)
• Ms. Alexa Ferguson (Center for Inclusive Excellence)
• Dr. Yolanda Obaze (College of Business and Engineering Representative)
• Ms. Bettye Poole (Community Representative, ‘02 & ‘04)
• Dr. Robert Shelby (Division for Talent & Community)
• Professor Sarah Smith (William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences Representative)
• Mr. Michael Tessier (Student Affairs)

Annual Lectureship Speakers and Themes

• 2025 – Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Wise Whitehead, “Collective Leadership in a Changing World”
• 2024 – Dr. Rob Shelby, “Embracing Liberation: Radical Love for a United Community”
• 2023 – Dr. Christopher Emdin, “A Liberated Other America”
• 2022 – Dr. Lerone A. Martin, “Unrelenting Faith.”
• 2021 – Ms. Karith Foster, “Our Time is Now.”
• 2020 – Mr. Theo Wilson, “20/20: King’s Vision and Legacy in Modern America.”
• 2019 – Professor Cynthia E. Nance, “Labor of Love.”
• 2018 – Mr. Robert Jackson, “Respect and Compassion for All.” (postponed due to weather and rescheduled on April 25, 2018)
• 2017 – Dr. Dorothy Simpson Taylor, “Championing Peace and Justice.”
• 2016 – Rev. Terry Atwater ’68, M ’73, “Rebuilding the Village through Courageous Conversations and the Initiation of Peace.”
• 2015 – Dr. Ramona Hyman, “Greatness is the Power to Serve.”
• 2014 – Mr. Darryl Davis, “Beloved Community: Strengthening Communities, Empowering Individuals, Bridging Barriers, and Creating Solutions.”

Mays Legacy Award

The award is presented annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Lectureship to a UE alumni or campus member selected by the University of Evansville Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize and affirm those who have made significant contributions in the areas of race relations, justice, and/or human rights. The nominees have been personally or corporately involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of race relations, justice, and/or human rights causes.

Award Recipients

• 2024 – Dr. Valerie Stein & Dr. Thomas Stratton
• 2023 – Mr. Watez Phelps, ‘01
• 2022 – Rev. Veltri Taylor, ‘81
• 2021 – Ms. Stephanie Terry, ‘00
• 2020 – Ms. Connie Robinson-Blair, ‘78
• 2019 – Dr. Ira Neal, ‘61
• 2018 – Dr. Thomas Kazee, H ’18
• 2017 – Ms. Lana Burton, ’79
• 2016 – Ms. Estella Moss
• 2015 – Ms. Sondra Matthews, ’77
• 2014 – Dr. William and Dr. Rose Mays, ’67

Rising Star Service Award

The Rising Star award is presented annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Lectureship to a UE alumni or campus member selected by the University of Evansville's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee. The purpose of this award is to recognize an emerging leader who has made significant contributions to the Evansville community, who demonstrates leadership potential, and whose record reflects the life and civil service of Dr. Martin Luther King. The nominees have shown a personal commitment to service through leadership in multiple tangible, visible, and meaningful initiatives throughout the campus and city community in areas directly affecting historically underrepresented populations.

The following are the general qualities that determine the recipient of this award:

• The nominee must be a current student or UE graduate with less than 10 years of professional experience.
• The nominee must have significantly contributed to the University of Evansville or the greater Evansville community through service initiatives.
• The nominee must have shown outstanding promise for continuing service and leadership.
• The nominee must reflect MLK's goals and life.

Award Recipients

• 2024 – Ms. Akane Suzuki, ‘23
• 2023 – Mr. Patrick Odoyo, ‘14
• 2022 – Ms. Quran Johnson, ’21 & Ms. Jazzmine Coleman ’21