February, 2009

EPS and AACRC honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.On Wednesday, January 14th students, faculty and staff gathered at the AACRC to celebrate Dr. King through song and spoken word

“Wake up, speak up, stand up.” At the AACRC’s Martin Luther King tribute Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie delivered this message to students, reminding them that progress is an ongoing process and there is always work left to be done. In the wake of President Obama’s political victory, Abercrumbie urged students to break polite silence and continue to work toward achieving the dream that Dr. King so eloquently stated more than 40 years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Sunderland shared stories of his experiences with the Civil Rights Movement, including witnessing Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech in person on August 28, 1963. He spoke impassioned words of encouragement, drawing attention to the positive change that has taken place in the last five decades.

A professor of peace and educational studies in the Educational Studies program, Sunderland has been and continues to be an agent for justice and reform on campus. In 2001 he began a poster therapy project in response to a number of racially instigated riots in Cincinnati. The project gave a voice to the downtrodden, providing a positive means of expression through an artistic medium. Speaking to students at the Dr. King tribute furthered the social justice initiatives to which he has dedicated his professional career.

The UC student body also made a significant contribution to the program. The AACRC Choir, under the direction of staff member Eric Watford, raised spirits with a selection of inspirational songs. Mr. Kuamka 2008, Justin Williams, presented a dramatic poetry reading that kept the crowd on the edges of their seats.

In the words of Dr. King, “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism… Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” The AACRC’s Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute was a celebration of the life and work of Dr. King, but also a solemn reminder that these words are as relevant today as they were in 1963.

UC students and staff attend historic inauguration of President Barack ObamaEPS family travels to our nation’s capital to join in the inaugural festivities on Tuesday, January 20th.

On January 20th, 2009 Barack Obama was the forty-fourth American and first African-American to take the presidential oath. Several UC students and EPS staff members were fortunate enough to be able to attend the historic inauguration in Washington, D.C. Those not able to be there in person gathered in the EPS and AACRC offices and at Tangeman University Center to view the inauguration as a community.

Emotions were running high on the cold January morning, as President Obama made history and offered a glimmer of hope to disheartened nation. In his inaugural address President Obama spoke of the unique challenges that arise in this nation of immigrants—challenges that are addressed daily in our office of Ethnic Programs and Services. “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth.”

He continued, “And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds will someday pass… and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.” President Obama’s successful campaign for the presidency was certainly an encouraging step along the path to tolerance and mutual understanding. His words, both solemn and uplifting, serve as a call to action and responsibility for the American people.

Upcoming EPS events…

The VIEs (Very Important Eaters) reconvene on Thursday, February 12th at 12:30 PM in the EPS relaxation room to sample the finest Mediterranean food that Clifton has to offer! Please contact Allison Ng (ngam@email.uc.edu) for more information about the VIEs.

Turner Scholars will attend the 24th Annual Leadership Conference, “Transcending the Status Quo” on Saturday, February 28th at 10:30 AM. Scholars will have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills at this workshop facilitated by keynote speaker Mr. Jim Reed. The conference is sponsored by the department of Student Activities and Leadership development. Please visit http://www.uc.edu/sald for more information.

The “Red and Black” Ball for Turner Scholars and their guests will be Friday, March 6th at 7:00 PM in TUC Great Hall. Scholars, make sure to bring your dancing shoes and UC spirit!

TURNER TIDBITS

Turner fields powerhouse intramural basketball team Turner basketball team expected to dominate intramural competition

Attention scholars! Are you looking for something to do on Tuesday nights? Consider joining the Turner intramural basketball team. If you do not count basketball as one of your many talents, consider coming

out and supporting the team. Games are Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM in the Rec Center. After the first scheduled game was cancelled due to winter weather, the team came out on top on February 3 rd with a 46-23 victory. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Ronald Mazique (maziqurk@email.uc.edu).

Turner scholars give back to local communityScholars donate time, talents and coats during the month of January

During December and January Turner’s community engagement committee organized a coat drive to benefit those in need of warm coats this winter. The coats were delivered to Taft High School on Ezzard Charles Drive. Thanks to all who helped with this very important initiative!

On Saturday, January 24th a group of scholars (pictured bottom right) did their part to ensure that residents of the Over-The-Rhine community have access to decent, affordable housing. As part of the Over-The-Rhine Community Housing project, scholars painted, spackled, tiled and landscaped to renovate low-income housing units. Through projects of this nature, Turner scholars continue to set an example for the entire student body at UC. For more information on Over-The-Rhine Community Housing please visit http://www.uc.edu/sas/cce/OTR.html.

Turner Birthdays!Please help us celebrate the birthdays of the following Turner Scholars

January 15 – Robel KidaneJanuary 17 – Jacqueline NguyenJanuary 21 – Vernon WilliamsJanuary 22 – Ryan MarableJanuary 23 – Eric VuJanuary 25 – Ryan McGuireJanuary 26 – Breann GrayJanuary 26 – Graciela NegriJanuary 31 – Ashley Stewart

February 1 – Jarrett JamisonFebruary 8 – Sonny GonzalezFebruary 10 – Maria RosmarinFebruary 11 – Christina KanarisFebruary 12 – Cirrocco PowellFebruary 14 – Connie FuFebruary 14 – Raisa GarvinFebruary 17 – Tina ChenFebruary 24 – Alexander WangFebruary 25 – Michael Williams