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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook welcomed more than 260 people to the University’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom. The event was a time to celebrate King’s life and legacy and recognize those awarded for furthering his dream. 

“This is the 34^th year of this tradition at SIUE. It is an essential part of our culture,” Pembrook told the audience. “In 2011, SIUE made a pledge to eliminate any form of injustice, oppression, or violence at the University. This annual event helps us reflect on the progress we are making toward that goal.”

The guest speaker for the luncheon was Yemi Akande-Bartsch, PhD, president and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis, who is an expert in the areas of civic and leadership development, diversity and inclusion. 

“In light of the unprecedented nature of the 2016 election, Dr. King’s messages are more timely today as it was decades ago,” said Akande-Bartsch, who grew up in two countries, Nigeria and United States. She recalled her now 90-year-old father repeatedly referred to King’s “originally titled “Normalcy Never Again” oration, that became known as the immortal “I Have a Dream” speech, as inspiration to her and her four siblings.

“But the work of King’s dream is a process,” she continued. “The election of the first African American president is not sufficient in itself. We have to hold our country to a higher destiny. Change occurs through institutions, and individuals are a starting point of that process, which is why it warms my heart to hear about the Diversity Strategic Planning Summit that took place earlier today. But how do we move into the light?”

Akande-Bartsch offered these thoughts: citing a quote from one of the characters in Marvel Comics, Dr. Strange, “We never lose our demons, we only learn to live above them. Service is the path to greatness. Be inclusive in our conversations. Words matter. Civility matters. Respect matters.” 

Pembrook, in earlier remarks, also commented on the importance of service. “SIUE’s mission calls for us to shape a changing world. One way to accomplish that is for all of us to commit to working to create communities that are inclusive, safe and welcoming.”

The chancellor reported about his recent weeklong trip to Costa Rica with SIU School of Dental Medicine Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, and 33 other healthcare professionals. “We gave out 1,000 pairs of shoes, did 600 health assessments and built a community center with a bathroom, showers and meeting rooms.”

Another highlight of the luncheon was the award presentations. The following were selected for their outstanding achievements and contributions: scholarship winner – Maria Carrillo Quijano, senior, School of Nursing; community humanitarian winner – Septembre Lewis, of Collinsville; University faculty humanitarian winner – Sadegh Khazaeli, PhD, emeritus professor, Department of Chemistry; essay winner – Balaji G. Vijayakumar, Parkway Central High School, Chesterfield; poetry winner – Vivian Lacson, Parkway Central; and visual arts winner – LeAnn Schmitt, O’Fallon Township High School.

“My goal is to bring healthcare equality to communities,” said Quijano, of Edwardsville. “I will be a nurse in a few months, and my plan is to work in the East St. Louis community.”

Lewis, an SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound Math and Science counselor, said she made a concerted effort when she was growing up to “go against the grain of negativity and become immersed in positive efforts.”

In Vijayakumar’s essay, his central point is celebrating the uniqueness of others. “People have to accept the individuality of themselves and others,” he said.

In looking at the matter of race, Lacson’s poem, Black & White, read in part:

“When I was younger,
They always told me
Black is darkness and
White is light;
Black is a stain and
Purity is white.  …

But now that I know,
I refuse,
To let those
Colors stain my mind.

For the truth is
Black and White;
And I am not blind.” 

In the visual arts category, Schmitt drew an image to illicit others to not be silent about wrongdoing. “We have to be willing to speak out against injustice,” she said.

“Time is always right to do right,” Akande-Bartsch said. “I’m reminded of the song ‘Heal Our Land’ by South African singer and songwriter, Jonathon Butler. That is what we need, and what we can achieve by working collectively and collaboratively toward the legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left us.” 

Photos:

Yemi Akande-Bartsch, PhD, president and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis.

SIUE Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award winner, Maria Carrillo Quijano, senior, School of Nursing.

L-R: Yemi Akande-Bartsch, PhD, president and CEO of FOCUS St. Louis; University faculty humanitarian winner Sadegh Khazaeli, PhD, emeritus professor, Department of Chemistry; community humanitarian winner Septembre Lewis, of Collinsville; Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeffrey Waple, PhD, and SIUE Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook.

L-R: Essay winner Balaji G. Vijayakumar, Parkway Central High School; and visual arts winner LeAnn Schmitt, O’Fallon Township High School.