AUSTIN, Texas—The spacious lawn surrounding a bronze sculpture of Martin Luther King Jr. at The University of Texas at Austin campus will be the site of MLK Birthday Celebration 2000 beginning at 1 p.m. Monday (Jan. 17). The public is invited to participate in this event, which also will be attended by students from area schools.
The new 12-foot-tall MLK sculpture, which was unveiled in September, is located on the University’s East Mall where the celebration will feature songs, ethnic dance groups and inspirational speeches. It is just one of many events throughout Austin and the nation honoring King.
The program for Monday’s MLK Birthday Celebration 2000 at the University will include
- Welcome by Gina Gilmore, chair of African American Affairs
- Opening prayer by Akpene Torku, president of Alpha Lambda Omega Christian Sorority
- Negro National Anthem by Tori White, Miss Black UT
- Introduction of University representative by Student Government President Parisa Fatehi
- Official UT Austin greeting by Dr. James Vick, vice president for student affairs
- Narrator Ramona Huston
- Indian folkdance, Shilpa Motwani, Student Equity & Diversity
- Song by Innervisions Gospel Choir
- Speeches by students Mamta Motwani and David Henderson
- Dance by Ballet Folklorico
- “The Negro Mother” by JaNear Crabtree, chair of Women’s Forum 2000
- Closing song by Innervisions Gospel Choir
For further information, contact Brenda Burt, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, (512) 475-7971 or (512) 232-2958.
Another activity at the MLK sculpture site will feature Marlen Whitley, a law student and former student government president at UT Austin, as the keynote speaker for a Jewish Youth Retreat honoring King. The 2 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 16) event is part of a weekend convention and involves about 100 students from throughout Texas. The public is invited to attend.
