The University of Arkansas at Monticello celebrated the life of
Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 17 in the Capitol room of the Gibson University
Center with students, staff, faculty and guests present.
The Office of Student Affairs sponsored the event, which consisted of music and
special readings to pay tribute to King’s life and accomplishments.
Angela Lewis, president of the UAM chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, welcomed
the audience. She also introduced sophomore Caswanna Allen, who presented a
reading of the history of Dr. Martin Luther King. Senior Karen Merritt provided
a musical praise for the celebration as well.
Merritt, a pianist and vocalist, performed "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and
evoked great applause from the audience. Timothy Woods, a member of the Pi Psi chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, provided
accompaniment on the saxophone throughout a special tribute to King. The tribute
began with a reading of King’s biography by treasurer Jason Bailey. Three more
readings followed and consisted of excerpts from his most renowned speeches.
Thaddeus Webb, the fraternity's editor of the "Sphinx," began the performances of
by reading "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." Alphas' President Ron Hudson followed with
his passage from "I’ve Been to the Mountaintop." Vice-president Colby Boyce
concluded the specials with the especially famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Students from the Arise Charter School in Monticello also attended the event
which ended with a prayer from Rev. Shay Gillespie, UAM alumnus and pastor of
Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Monticello. He spoke a few words to
the audience prior to his prayer and said that he commended the students of UAM
for keeping the celebration alive.
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"I am elated to see the legacy continue
and I am so glad to see you are continuing to do the work of Dr. Martin Luther
King," Gillespie said.
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