This event was held in 2023, see the most current year's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week events.  mlk_digital_web-banner-900.jpg

12th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Awareness Week

Foster a Sense of Belonging | January 16-20, 2023

You’re invited to a week of diversity awareness events honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings, sponsored by Purdue University’s College of Agriculture and College of Health & Human Sciences. All events are open to the public, with a virtual option, and will be held in the Deans Auditorium in Pfendler Hall from 12:00pm-1:30pm, unless indicated otherwise below.

This year, the College of Agriculture and College of Health & Human Sciences are partnering with Willowstone Family Services. If you would like support the Willowstone Family Services, please write "Dr. MLK Jr. Week" in the comments with your donation.    
Share these events with anyone who may be interested by using purdue.ag/mlk and #PurdueAgMLK #PurdueHHSMLK 

Contact Dr. Linnette White, lcwhite@purdue.edu if you require accommodations for any of the events.  

Events

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Day of Service
Various Times

Annual day of service for Purdue students, faculty and staff to connect with the community and provide support to new and ongoing service projects.  Please consider the following agencies to connect.

reject-poster-web.jpg"REJECT” Documentary
screening + discussion
11:30am - 1:30 pm

REJECT takes a science-based and solution-oriented look at the roots of bullying behavior and violent behavior against the self or others. The film aims to raise public consciousness about the serious and potentially lethal consequences of interpersonal rejection in its many forms.  This film can be viewed on Kanopy by creating a free account with a Purdue email. 

The event includes a post-screening Q&A with Dr. Kip Williams, College of Health and Human Sciences

Facilitator: Dr. Josh Widhalm, Associate Professor of Horticulture

strayhorn-portrait.png"Sense of Belonging"
Dr. Terrell Strayhorn
Keynote Speaker 12-1:30PM

Dr. Strayhorn will spend the day engaging audiences to “explore how belonging differs based on students’ social identities, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or the conditions they encounter on campus. This includes student sub-populations and campus environments. His book will be available for purchase. Strayhorn, T. L. (2018). College students’ sense of belonging: A key to educational success for all students. Routledge.

Facilitators: Dr. Laura Ingwell, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology (Keynote) and Dr. Linnette White, Assistant Director for Faculty and Staff Development, Office of Multicultural Programs, Purdue Agriculture (Workshops) 

A recording of Dr. Strayhorn's keynote is available upon request via Dr. Linnette White. 

Wellbeing in Times of Uncertainty
Panel Discussion, 12:00-1:30 pm 

Representatives from the Center for Healthy Living (CHL) will engage and discuss techniques to support de-stressing, eating healthy, and creating environments of belonging. Additionally, Jenni Murtaugh, Executive Director of Willowstone Family Services will be joining us to discuss community based programs that foster a sense of belonging.

Facilitator: Carmen Morrow, Senior Administrative Assistant, Purdue HHS Deans' Office

Panelists from CHL: Megan Shidler, Jessica L. McKeever, Amanda Hathcock, Whitney Soto

Creating an Atmosphere “You Belong” in the Workplace
Panel Discussion, 12:00-1:30 pm 

The panel discussed the importance of developing programs in the workplace that support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. These are BIPOC leaders in their Industries', supporting or leading DEI initiatives.   

Facilitator: James Monger, retired DEI Manager, Cargill

Panelists:

  • Dr. Kirt Durand (Syngenta)
  • Broderick Lewis (Tyson Foods)
  • Laurene Lonneman (Elanco)
  • Dr. Chastity Love (Syngenta)

 

Unsung Diversity Hero Awards

Watch the Unsung Diversity Hero awards presented by Dr. Pamala Morris.