E&H MLK Day

Emory & Henry University celebrates the life and accomplishments of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a focus on this year’s theme, common ground. Throughout the day, the E&H community will attend presentations, breakout sessions and community programs.
Morning Program
Location: Kennedy∼Reedy Theatre, McGlothlin Center for the Arts
-
9:30 a.m. — Doors Open
Guests are welcome to enter the theatre and take their seats. -
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Opening Program (Lyceum Credit)
-
Original Dance Performance
Gabrielle Iadevaio & Shamiyeh Noel -
Welcome
Frederick George, Assistant Vice President for Access, Impact, & Student Engagement - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — “I Have a Dream” Speech
-
Physical Graffiti
Leah Wilson, Associate Director, Appalachian Center for Civic Life and Director, Bonner Scholars Program
-
Original Dance Performance
Lunch Break
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Plenary Session
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Panel Discussion
Common Ground: Stories of Connection Across Differences
Kennedy∼Reedy Theatre (Lyceum Credit)
Led by the Assistant Vice President for Access, Impact, & Student Engagement
Prompt: Panelists will share moments when they found—or struggled to find—common ground with individuals different from themselves.
Afternoon Engagement Sessions (Concurrent)
2:15 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
(Lyceum credit available for each session)
-
CHATS — Leah Wilson & Trevor (Co-Leads)
Location: Board of Visitors Lounge
A facilitated discussion focused on building the tools and skills needed to break down social barriers and find common ground with others. -
Environmental Racism: What Is It and How Can We Address It? — Dr. Ed Davis & Ava Thomas (Co-Leads)
Location: McGlothlin Street Hall, Room 239
An exploration of how environmental injustice affects communities, including disparities in air quality, water safety, and living conditions. -
Conversation on Implicit Bias — Amy Meister, Amanda Blevins, Jacob Dick, Cam Hutton, Mackenzy Pastor
Location: Carriger Lobby
A session highlighting empathy, understanding, and equity in therapeutic and interpersonal relationships. -
The Danger of a Single Story: Finding Common Ground Through Narrative — Dr. Lobertini
Location: Wiley Hall, Room 240
This session explores how storytelling and narrative can build empathy and shared understanding across differences. -
How the Socratic Method Is Vital to a Thriving University — Bethany Beecher
Location: Kelly Library
A workshop examining how dialogue, questioning, and thoughtful discourse help create common ground within academic communities. -
More Than Meets the Eye — Vice President Travis Proffitt
Location: Wiley Hall, Room 201
An interactive workshop using the “identity iceberg” activity to explore visible and invisible aspects of identity in diverse communities.
Students can attend MLK Day events for Lyceum credits. See the Lyceum events page for details.
Events:
-
MLK Day - Opening Program
January 19, 9:45am - 11:00amDoors open at 9:30 a.m.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Common Ground: Stories of Connection Across Differences
January 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pmIn this panel discussion, let by Assistant Vice President for Access, Impact, and Student Engagement Fred George, panelists will share moments when they found - or struggled to find - common ground with individuals different from themselves.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagement Session: CHATS
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmCHATS is a facilitated discussion focused on building the tools and skills needed to break down social barriers and find common ground with others.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagement Session: Conversation on Implicit Bias
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmLed by Amy Meister, Amanda Blevins, Jacob Dick, Cam Hutton, and Mackenzy Pastor, this session highlights empathy, understanding, and equity in therapeutic and interpersonal relationships.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagement Session: How the Socratic Method is Vital to a Thriving University
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmLed by Bethany Beecher, this workshop examines how dialogue, questioning, and thoughtful discourse help create common ground within academic communities.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagement Session: More Than Meets the Eye
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmAn interactive workshop using the “identity iceberg” activity to explore visible and invisible aspects of identity in diverse communities.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagement Session: The Danger of a Story - Finding Common Ground Through Narrative
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmThis session explores how storytelling and narrative can build empathy and shared understanding across differences.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit. -
MLK Day - Afternoon Engagment Session: Environmental Racism - What Is It and How Can We Address It?
January 19, 2:15pm - 3:25pmLed by Dr. Ed Davis and Ava Thomas, this session is an exploration of how environmental injustice affects communities, including disparities in air quality, water safety, and living conditions.
Keep reading
Lyceum credit.