Spring 2007

Rose-Hulman celebrated Martin Luther King’s birthday with expanded activities this year using the theme “Diversity Matters.”

Students were invited to participate in an art and poetry competition that allowed them to express their interpretation of the week’s theme. Poetry inners were Ely Spears, a junior mathematics major, and Simon Leavitt, a junior mechanical engineering major. Kenneth Hurst, a junior mechanical engineering major, won the art competition.

Other activities for the week included a film view and discussion of “Eyes on the Prize,” a film focusing on the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Also, nationally known race activist Molly Secours presented a talk titled “Whispering Black.”

Katherine Utley delivered a stirring speech at the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. The title of her presentation was “A Dream Deferred.” She is chair of the foreign language department at Terre Haute North Vigo High School and a 2002 recipient of a Doctor of Humane Letters from Rose-Hulman.

The week closed with a student leadership lunch sponsored by President Gerald Jakubowski. It focused on the “Golden Rule” and its presence in various world religions. Mark Minster, assistant professor of English, presented an overview of religion and the Golden Rule. Other speakers provided views of the rule from specific religions: Maki Hirotani, assistant professor of Japanese, Buddhism and Shintoism; Hossein Hariri, department head and professor of chemical engineering, Islam and Xoroastrianism; Josh Holden, assistant professor mathematics, Judaism; and Bryan Taylor, director of publications and webmaster, Christianity.

The week was coordinated by the Rose-Hulman Diversity Council. Members of the council include: John Aidoo, assistant professor of civil engineering; Dick Boyce, director of corporate and foundation relations; Caroline Carvill head of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of American Literature; HyungJung Chang, web developer and publications specialist; Karen DeGrange, director of international student services and special programs; Phillip Flanders, student; Jared Goulding, assistant director of admissions; Donna Gustafson, council chair and associate dean for student services; Elaine Lee, program liaison; Kim Miller, director of human resources; Tim Prickel, registrar; Dee Reed, assistant director of public relations; Don Richards, professor of mechanical engineering; John Robson, director of the library and institute librarian; Eva Rojas, student; Bryan Ruiz, student; Jeffery Sadeli, student; Susan Smith, director of the Learning Center and assistant professor of English; Shania Steward, student; and Carey Treager-Huber, director of student activities.