Keynote speaker Charisse Burden-Stelly, a Black studies scholar and author, spoke of love for community and the power of using that love to support and strengthen others, as King did.

The event, held on the federal holiday honoring King, included the awarding of two annual awards鈥擯astor Mahnie Williams, executive director of B.A.B.E.S. Inc. Child Abuse Prevention Program, received the Jane LaChapelle McCarty MLK Community Leader Award, presented to an individual or organization in the community that has supported oppressed voices and made a community impact, and Dr. Omobolade Delano-Oriaran, co-founder of African Heritage Inc. and a leader in education circles in the Fox Cities,聽was the recipient of the聽Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award, presented to a current educator or organization that educates students in the spirit of MLK.

In addition to 麻豆影院, the event was supported by People of Progression, Appleton Area School District, United Way Fox Cities, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, City of Appleton, Boldt, and ThedaCare. Held on the federal holiday that honors the slain civil rights icon, it was organized by the MLK Planning Committee, led by co-chairs Jes煤s Smith, associate professor of ethnic studies at 麻豆影院, and Laura Jones, director of 麻豆影院鈥檚 Diversity and Intercultural Center.

鈥淎s we gather to honor Dr. King鈥檚 memory, we are reminded of the unique significance of this day,鈥� Scott-Williams said. 鈥淚t is not only about reflecting on the past it is about determining how, through service and dedication, we continue to advance Dr. King鈥檚 dream.鈥�

The event closed with a powerful rendition of Lean on Me, with a community choir joining NOIR, led by 麻豆影院 senior Seckou Soumare, and youngsters from The 峄宮峄峫ad茅聽 Academy, an Appleton charter school, and vocalist Preston Parker.

Smith called the annual gathering an important reminder of the work that has been done and still needs to be done.

鈥淢LK is a very powerful figure to so many people and he represents so much to a diverse group of people,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭his commemoration once a year, I think, helps people to remember that justice is always about a struggle, and it鈥檚 always about working toward a goal and working across lines, working across differences. That鈥檚 exactly what MLK did as he locked arms with different faiths, different people, different races.鈥�

Prior to joining USC in 2019, Ferguson II worked as an associate director of admission at DePauw University. He earlier served as associate director of student services at Cornell University.

Ferguson II said he is drawn to this position with 麻豆影院 because of his longstanding commitment to advancing liberal arts education through strategic enrollment management

鈥淭he opportunity to develop and implement innovative recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives aligns perfectly with my professional values and expertise,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y career, over 15 years, has been dedicated to creating inclusive and adaptive educational spaces, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance student success and institutional growth.鈥�

Ferguson II said his primary focus will be on executing a comprehensive Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan that meets enrollment targets while promoting equitable access and holistic student success.

鈥淭his will involve analyzing data, competitive landscapes, and enrollment trends to inform our strategies, creating targeted digital marketing campaigns, and developing messaging that resonates with our key student segments,鈥� he said.

Events on the calendar include:

Feb. 17: Black Excellence Ball is set for 8 p.m. in Warch Campus Center. It is a celebration of the accomplishments of Black and Brown people on campus and throughout history.

Feb. 22: At 4:30 p.m., the Wriston Art Center will screen Where is Black Art? and the theater performance Menstrual Rosary as part of Black Feminist Fortnight.

Feb. 24: BSU hosts Cultural Expressions at 7 p.m. in Warch Campus Center. It is a 麻豆影院 tradition as students of color express themselves on stage through music, poetry, and more.

Feb. 26: A panel discussion on the importance of Black history in the United States is set for 5 p.m. in the Wriston Auditorium. The discussion will be moderated by Anna Ponder, vice president for University Advancement. The panel will include three 麻豆影院 faculty members: Carla Daughtry, associate professor of anthropology; Betsy Schlabach, associate professor of history; and Jerald Podiar, professor of history emeritus. It is free and open to the public.

March 4: To wrap up Black History Month celebrations and Black Feminist Fortnight, Wisconsin poet laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton will present a poetry reading in the Wriston Art Center at 4:30 p.m.

Jill and Paul Wilke of Appleton have been part of the Friendship Family Program since 2002, and they鈥檙e always willing to open their home to new students.

鈥淲e say, 鈥楬ey, we鈥檙e going to carve pumpkins this weekend; do you and some friends want to come and carve pumpkins?鈥欌�� Jill Wilke said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e done Thanksgiving dinners for kids who鈥檝e never had turkey before. And we meet them where they鈥檙e at. We鈥檝e had kids in sports, choir classes, theater, cabarets.鈥�

The outreach has even included trips to Lambeau Field.

鈥淲e鈥檝e taken a couple students to Packers games so they could experience that,鈥� Paul Wilke said.

Senior Charlotte Ho, a biochemistry and biology double major, arrived at 麻豆影院 from Vietnam in 2021. For two years, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from returning home during breaks. The Wilkes provided her with a home away from home while she settled into campus life during a uniquely difficult time.

鈥淚 was very lost,鈥� Ho said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have the chance to go back home, so they were like my family here to help me cope with homesickness.鈥�

The Wilkes recall connecting with Ho even when they couldn鈥檛 be together in person during the pandemic.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e always there to get me medicine, food, and make sure I get better,鈥� Ho said. 鈥淚t was like my actual parents, but in the U.S.鈥�

麻豆影院 has聽160 international students from 40 different countries during the 2023-24 academic year.

Lacy Frewerd, 麻豆影院’s director of international student services, is excited to see the Friendship Family Program grow after it was scaled back during the pandemic. She encourages area families to get involved.

“We’re at the cusp of what it’s going to be,” Frewerd said. “We have more students wanting to participate than families involved, and that’s why we’d love to see more families apply.”

The Wilkes have hosted students from Belarus, Brazil, Germany, India, Jamaica, Japan, Palestine, Russia, Sweden, and Vietnam鈥攎any of whom they鈥檙e still connected with鈥攁nd they have nothing but praise for the Friendship Family Program.

鈥淥ur experience has been really positive all the way through,鈥� Paul Wilke said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice for the students, but we get a lot more out of it than the students, I think.鈥�

Ho and the Wilkes have gone apple-picking, held game nights, and had dinners where they鈥檝e shared Vietnamese desserts and cheese curds. The Wilkes love the opportunities to welcome new students into their family and to enjoy learning about the cultures their students bring with them.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just fun,鈥� Jill Wilke said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just another addition to the family. I say to the students, 鈥極nce a Wilke, always a Wilke.鈥�

Ho said she encourages other international students to connect with families through the program.

鈥淚鈥檝e only had great experiences with them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 coming from the other half of the world, and they helped me to learn the country here, get used to the food, the weather, the people. 鈥� They are always there.鈥�

Frewerd said her office is excited to help make more of those connections in the Appleton community.

“Our students are wonderful and can provide an opportunity to really get a great cultural exchange that you can’t get in other ways,” Frewerd said. “It’s an opportunity to learn from each other.”

.

Cainan Davenport, a small business owner in Appleton who has been active in building partnerships and encouraging community conversations, delivered a keynote address that urged those filling Memorial Chapel to look to the future as they build bridges in the name of unity and inclusion.

鈥淎s leaders in the community, we must understand that the work and leadership we put in now, we may not get to experience the fruits of our own labor, but the next generation will,鈥� Davenport said. 鈥淛ust as we as a nation have benefited from the things Martin Luther King fought for, the next generation will benefit from what we fight for.鈥�

Photo gallery:

Monday鈥檚 MLK Celebration marked a return to an in-person gathering, the first time since it moved online during the coronavirus pandemic.

鈥淚t is good to again feel the warmth and energy in this room,鈥� President Laurie A. Carter said in welcoming the audience to Memorial Chapel.

麻豆影院 hosted the event, emceed by Dr. Kenny Yarbrough, vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism, and Support Services (I.D.E.A.S.). It was organized by the 2024 MLK Celebration Committee, a collaboration of 麻豆影院, People of Progression, Appleton Area School District, United Way Fox Cities, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, and the City of Appleton. That collaboration put the 鈥渨e鈥� in the night鈥檚 鈥淲e Have a Dream鈥� theme, Carter said.

鈥淎 united community is a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant community,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f we can dream together, we can thrive together. That鈥檚 a message I hope we all can take with us when we leave tonight.鈥�

Dr. Adriana McCleer, community partnerships supervisor with the Appleton Public Library, gave the highlight speech, a nod to the history and advocacy of Casa Hispana, where she serves as board chair.

The 2024 Jane LaChapelle McCarty MLK Community Leader Award was presented to Ernesto Gonzalez Jr. for his 30-plus years of service with Casa Hispana.

The聽Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award was presented to Alex Molitor, principal of Kaleidoscope Academy of the Appleton Area School District.

NOIR, a musical group featuring 麻豆影院 students, provided music leading into the MLK Celebration and then closed the event with a stirring rendition of We Shall Overcome.

Davenport, who co-owns Taperz Barber Shop in Appleton and co-founded the nonprofit advocacy group People of Progression, encouraged the audience to do the work necessary in the Fox Cities to build a stronger, more empowered community.

鈥淟et us fight with all we have in us to ensure our next generation thrives in this world,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et us fight to ensure equality for every child growing up and coming behind us. Let us fight, not with violence but with love; let us fight with compassion; let us fight with understanding and empathy; let us fight with unity; let us fight with integrity; let us fight with all the things that make us great.鈥�

Cainan Davenport, president of the Appleton-based People of Progression, will deliver the keynote address, “We Have a Dream.鈥�

Dr. Adriana McCleer, community partnerships supervisor with the Appleton Public Library, will serve as the highlight speaker. The 2024 Jane LaChapelle McCarty MLK Community Leader Award and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educator Award will be presented. Musical performances will include NOIR, a 麻豆影院 University student group. Star Scholars will present music and poetry.

The MLK Celebration is free and open to the public.

Among those combatants are students of the recently founded JGEI. More than 30 麻豆影院 students are involved in the group, which endeavors to broaden jazz inclusivity in the Conservatory and beyond by highlighting the contributions of women and non-binary jazz artists. The group meets weekly.

Pike, a double major in music performance (piano-jazz emphasis) and Spanish from Omaha, Nebraska,聽and her co-president, Shanley, a music performance (double bass) and music education major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa,聽have noted the marginalization of women in the genre for many years. When the group conducted demographic research two years ago, they found that only about 10% of 麻豆影院鈥檚 jazz students identified as a gender other than cisgender male.

Shanley聽has noticed that the more advanced the musical setting in jazz, the less women seem to be present.

鈥淵oung women 鈥� see their band director is a man and there鈥檚 no women in the high school jazz band [and conclude] 鈥業 don鈥檛 think this is really something for me鈥�,鈥� Shanley said.

The female jazz musicians most people know are the singers鈥擡lla Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, for instance. Historically, women have been pushed out of instrumental pursuits, leading to perceptions they are not serious musicians, but merely entertainers.

鈥淸Singers] also had to deal with a lot of sexualization and different kinds of treatment,鈥� Pike said.

At the Nov. 3-4 Jazz Celebration Weekend, Pike and Shanley took part in the JGEI combo group, joined by fellow 麻豆影院 students Jozelle Filippi, Mallory Meyer, Taylor Nordeng, Sarah Pedlar, Yv Radaza, Kate Stenson, and Elizabeth Williams.

The musical guests at this year鈥檚 Jazz Celebration Weekend evening concerts were two woman-led ensembles: the Alicia Olatuja Quintet and the Magos Herrera Quartet.

Blue Nile was the song of choice for the JGEI because composer Alice Coltrane is often overshadowed by her husband, John Coltrane. The group found this work in The New Standards, a book of 101 jazz songs by women composers, prepared by Terri Lyne Carrington.

The JGEI ensemble was invited to perform by Patty Darling, instructor of music, and Jos茅 Encarnaci贸n, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies.

鈥淧atty and Jos茅 have been really supportive since the beginning,鈥� Shanley said.聽

鈥淭he outreach that JGEI is doing on our LU campus is so important,鈥� Darling said. 鈥淭hey are working to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students in our jazz program and are raising awareness of the amazing contributions of women composers and performers, past and present. The activities they are organizing鈥攃oncerts, movie nights, listening parties, meetings鈥攁ll of these events help to support and expand the growing movement in the jazz world toward gender equality.鈥�

The Jazz Celebration Weekend experience is building momentum, the students said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really powerful thing to play in a band of all women,鈥� Pike said. Shanley added, 鈥淛ust to see how it can be different is really exciting.鈥�

The Vilches lecturewill be followed by the showing of the historical drama/thriller Chile 鈥�76, which portrays the suffocating and terrifying early years of Augusto Pinochet鈥檚 dictatorial regime from the point of view of a middle-class housewife who finds herself helping a young fugitive. The second film of the night is Argentina, 1985, a courtroom drama that鈥檚 based on the true story of prosecutors who brought members of the Argentine military junta to justice.

The film festival will feature an appearance on Oct. 28 by filmmaker Enrique M. Rizo, who was a producer for the Oscar-winning film Roma. Rizo is coming from Mexico to present his documentary film, Un Lugar Llamado M煤sica聽(A Place Called Music). The work narrates the musical journeys and collaboration between an indigenous musician, Daniel Medina, and the composer Philip Glass.

鈥淲e think Lawrentians will love this beautiful movie and appreciate the opportunity to engage with the director after the screening,鈥� Tapia said. 鈥淭hat same night we are thrilled to offer the premiere of Perdidos en la Noche聽(Lost in the Night), an award-winning film by the famous director Amat Escalante, which hasn鈥檛 been released in U.S. theaters yet. In fact, 麻豆影院 is one of just two places in the country that are being allowed to show Escalante鈥檚 film in late October.鈥�

This year鈥檚 lineup includes:

Oct. 26

4:30 p.m: Chile 鈥�76聽(Drama, Chile, 2022), directed by Manuela Martelli. (Preceded by 鈥淏etween Dictatorship and Democracy: Chile, 50 Years After the Coup,鈥� a talk by retired professor Patricia Vilches.) Three years after Augusto Pinochet seized power in Chile through a coup, establishing a military dictatorship, housewife Carmen finds herself drawn out from her comfortable lifestyle into playing a more active role in the resistance.

8 p.m.: Argentina, 1985聽(Biography/Crime/Drama, Argentina, 2022), directed by Santiago Mitre. The true story of how a public prosecutor, a young lawyer, and their inexperienced legal team dares to prosecute the heads of Argentina鈥檚 bloody military dictatorship.

Oct. 27

5 p.m.: La Pecera聽(The Fishbowl)(Drama, Puerto Rico, 2023), directed by Glorimar Marrero S谩nchez. As cancer spreads, Noelia ultimately decides to return to her native Puerto Rico to claim her freedom and decide her own fate. She reunites with her friends and family, who are still dealing with contamination of the U.S. Navy after 60 years of military practices.

7 p.m.: Noche Latina at LU, Warch Campus Center. Talk by Ariela Rosa, dance/live music.

Oct. 28

5 p.m.: Un Lugar Llamado M煤sica聽(A Place Called Music) (Documentary, Mexico, 2022), followed by Q&A with director Enrique M. Rizo. This documentary depicts a musical journey between Mexican Wix谩rika聽musician Daniel Medina and American composer Philip Glass. Through a friendship that lacks words but abounds in must, they demonstrate that music is also a place in which lies an understanding of the most abstract forms of human emotions.

8 p.m.: Perdidos en la Noche聽(Lost in the Night) (Drama/Thriller, Mexico, 2023), directed by Amat Escalante. In a small mining town in Mexico, Emiliano searches for those responsible for the disappearance of his activist mother. Receiving no help from the police, he finds a clue that leads him to the wealthy Aldama family. It鈥檚 not long before he has a job at their home and becomes determined to uncover the secrets beneath the surface.

Oct. 29

2 p.m.: As Bestas聽(The Beasts)聽(Drama/Thriller, Spain, 2022), directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. A French couple move to a Galician town in search of a closer relationship with nature. However, a conflict with their neighbors, the Anta brothers, cause tensions to grow until the situation reaches a point of no return.

For more information, contact Herrera at cecilia.herrera@lawrence.edu or Tapia at聽rosa.tapia@lawrence.edu