Participants: Denison faculty, staff, students and Granville and area communities
Date: Monday, January 21, 2013
10:00am-11:15am: Service Fair, William H. Doane Library
Have you ever thought about wanting to be involved in the local community but just weren’t sure which opportunity was a right fit for you? If you drew on your shared knowledge, creativity, and energy, how much could you, as Denisonians, accomplish to address local needs? This year, and inspired by the Rev. Dr. King's legacy of service, all members of the campus community—students, faculty, staff, and friends of the university—are invited to join us at the MLK Service Fair and learn about the many ways to become involved. Representatives of area agencies will be on campus to talk about volunteer opportunities, while DCA representatives will also be present for sign up for their committees. In addition, continental breakfast will be available during the Service Fair.
We hope you take this opportunity to engage with the theme of Community Empowerment and Civic Engagement in honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
11:15am-12:45pm: Community Luncheon and Dialogue, Curtis Veggie Room and Huffman President’s Dining Room
This year's community luncheon will take place in Curtis Dining Hall AND Huffman Dining Hall on Monday, January 21, 2013, with the dialogues taking place from 11:30am-12:30pm (please note: both halls will be open for lunch from 11:15am-12:45pm). The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Committee is excited to offer an opportunity for the community to engage in dialogue on this year's theme "MLK's Legacy: The Courage to Create a Just World." A pairing of one student and one faculty/staff member will lead individual table dialogues, with particular emphasis on community engagement with our theme.
Those interested in participating in the 2013 community luncheon dialogue are highly encouraged to register in advance, as space is limited.
1:00pm-2:15pm: Convocation, Swasey Chapel
Alumni Panel:
True change-making comes from collaboration and networking with like-minded individuals. The adage that two heads are better than one really is true when it comes to strengthening communities in holistic ways. By thinking, planning, and working together, the individuals and groups that make a community can accomplish goals that neither could achieve alone. During our convocation, alumni panelists will help the audience directly connect the life and legacy of Dr. King to their civic engagement. This discussion will provide an opportunity for Denison community members to hear people knowledgeable about special social, economic and political justice issues affecting surrounding areas and beyond. Their task will be to present information and discuss personal views. Join us as well learn why civic engagement is “mission-fit” in our efforts to inspire and educate our students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and active citizens of a democratic society.
About the Panelists:
JEREMY BLAKE has spent more than fifteen years in service to others as a community volunteer, grassroots activist, communications consultant, Ohio Senate staff member, Newark School Board President and now community organizer.
After graduating from Newark High School in 1996, Jeremy attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio but his passion for public service took him away from his academic journey. He went on to become a full time staff member with the Ohio Senate serving the Democratic Caucus for ten years. His first attempt at elected office occurred in 1999 for a city council seat in Newark, Ohio. While winning the Democratic Primary election, he lost the general election by a slim margin. In 2000, Jeremy was appointed to the Newark School Board to fill a vacancy and won a four year term the following year in the general election.
Promoting and advocating for public education was an ongoing effort during Jeremy’s tenure on the school board. Many issue advocacy campaigns were organized to support the school system. The Newark community successfully supported a bond issue to build and renovate school buildings; approval was won for an income tax renewal and a permanent improvement renewal received endorsement by the voters.
He returned to Denison University in 2006 to work as a computer technician in the Information Technology Services Department. His existing title is Macintosh Lab Technician. As a full time employee of Denison, Jeremy took advantage of the employee tuition benefit program and graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in Economics.
Jeremy is currently active with the South Newark Civic Association, Mental Health America of Licking County, Bridges Out of Poverty of Licking County, Democratic Party and the United Church of Granville. He lives in South Newark with his dog Cyrus.
CORAL BREUER is the Project Coordinator for Student Outreach Initiatives with Ohio Campus Compact, a non-profit organization committed to working with Ohio colleges and universities on their civic engagement and service-learning initiatives. Most recently, she was involved with the Campus Election Engagement Project where she developed non-partisan election education resources and worked with over 40 Ohio campuses on event planning and information distribution during the 2012 Election season.
When she’s not traveling the state to visit campuses, she volunteers her time in Newark. She is an active member of the Bridges Out of Poverty – Poverty Task Force where she facilitates Poverty Simulations for area business employees and community groups and was recently recognized as Mental Health America of Licking County's 2012 Volunteer of the Year for her work. She also serves on the Board of Directors for 6th Street & Growing Community Gardens, a non-profit dedicated to expanding gardening options to Newark neighborhoods.
A Denison University graduate with a B.A. in Educational Studies and English Literature, Coral credits Denison’s John W. Alford Center for Service Learning with connecting her to her most transformational community involvement and social justice opportunities.
TAMELA COLLINS has been working with Girl Scouts for over 15 years. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Denison University in 1989 and has completed a Certification in Non-Profit Management program at Columbus State Community College. Being promoted throughout her career, she is the Chief Operating Officer providing strategic leadership and direction to the membership, program, data enterprise and volunteer teams within the council’s 30 county jurisdiction serving over 41,000 girls and volunteers. She has served as a member of the Young Women’s Initiative Committee and Grant Reader with The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, the Community Justice Board at Franklin Pre-Release Center, and the African American Advisory Council with Columbus City Schools. She recently partnered with Denison’s Women’s Studies department to deliver a middle school program in Newark with the assistance of the college women and Dr. Pierce funded by the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. She also worked with Otterbein University and the Women and the New American Dream Summit and is active as a community partner with the Rise Sister Rise Research Study. She is a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. She and her husband Terry and their children reside in Columbus.
About the Moderator:
DR. LYN ROBERTSON graduated from Denison as an English major and went on to public school teaching in underserved schools. Upon her return to Denison, she taught in the Department of Education about literacy, educational psychology, and critical pedagogy. Her primary research and publishing focus is the development of literacy in children with hearing loss, an endeavor that represents one way of achieving social justice. Two years ago, she became the director of the Alford Center for Service Learning and has been teaching a course titled, “Be the Change(maker).”
2:30pm-5:20pm: Teach-In Experience, Denison University Campus
Co-Sponsors: 2013 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Committee, William H. Doane Library, Alford Center for Service Learning, Denison Community Association, Spectrum Series: Creativity & Courage
