Valpo events to honor MLK
Valparaiso University will continue its tradition of honoring the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 11-19 with its 27th annual celebration centering on the theme “Conscious Humanity: What is Justice?” Events scheduled during the week include Young Aspiring Artists Artwork Exhibition Reception and Award Ceremony from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Harre Union, 1509 Chapel Drive. A Law School Lecture featuring Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig, UC-Berkeley, 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 12, Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich St. Community Conversations featuring readings of speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 13 at various locations throughout Valparaiso. A screening of the documentary “13th,” the Journey from Shackles to Prison Bars, 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 14 at Neil’s Science Center, room 234, 1610 Campus Drive. The Law School’s annual “Talk to a Lawyer” event, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 16, Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich St. Mock Trial: “Dress Code or Islamaphobia,” 5:30 p.m. Jan. 19, Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich St. More information and registration for events is at valpo.edu/mlk.
Cornel West MLK event keynote speaker
Cornel West, Ph.D., will be the keynote speaker at the convocation service during Valparaiso University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at 2 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Chapel of the Resurrection, 1650 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso. A lecturer and activist, West is professor of philosophy and Christian practice at Union Theological Seminary and professor emeritus at Princeton University. He also has taught at Yale, Harvard and the University of Paris. West graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in three years and obtained his master of arts and Ph.D. in philosophy at Princeton University. His most recent book, “Black Prophetic Fire,” focuses on 19th- and 20th-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies. More information is at valpo.edu/mlk.
Program to raise awareness of heart disease
The American Heart Association in Northwest Indiana has launched the Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign collecting knitted or crocheted red baby hats to raise awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country. Hats will be collected through Jan. 31. The American Heart Association requests that hats be in either newborn or preemie size, made of medium to heavy weight cotton or acrylic red yarn, and machine washable. Donations of yarn also will be accepted. The hats will be distributed to babies born in participating hospitals throughout the Northwest Indiana region during February, American Heart Month. Yarn or hat donations can be sent to the American Heart Association C/O: Amber Conniff — Little Hats Big Hearts for Northwest Indiana, 6500 Technology Center Drive Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278. More information and drop off locations are at www.heart.org/LittleHatsBigHearts.
MLK celebration at National Lakeshore
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 100 North Lake St., Gary. Ranger Cliff Goins will present two armchair tours of many national park sites that commemorate the struggle for African American civil rights. Throughout the day, a variety of hands-on activities, volunteer opportunities and exhibits featuring national park sites will be available. More information is at 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
— Staff report
