The following message from the Office of the President was shared with the Lehigh community earlier today:
Dear Members of the Lehigh Campus Community,
Today we celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose work and words continue to provide a shining example of strong, compassionate leadership and an unceasing commitment to equality, inclusion and justice.
Dr. King said that people “fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” As a campus community, we strive to overcome fear of differences by engaging in activities that develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for all cultures through honest and respectful dialogue.
Lehigh’s MLK Committee has organized a number of events to honor King’s work and legacy, including a luncheon today in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church that is titled "Negro Spirituals and Their Role in Civil Rights," which will feature remarks by Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards of the Resurrected Life Community Church and performances. There will also be opportunities for discussion and reflection.
On Feb. 7, the MLK Committee will bring to campus Anita Hill, the attorney, author and academic who sparked a national conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace when she testified at the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991. Her lecture in Baker Hall at 7:30 p.m. will focus on the critical issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Here at Lehigh, we take great pride in developing thoughtful and resilient leaders, and all of us bear the responsibility of building a community that fosters empathy, growth and trust. We encourage you to learn more about the many opportunities offered throughout the year, which can be found on our Diversity and Inclusion website.
As we begin a new semester filled with the potential for learning and for leading positive change, we invite you to consider the legacy of Dr. King, and how you might play a role in building a more equitable and inclusive—and stronger—Lehigh.
John D. Simon, President
Patrick V. Farrell, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Donald A. Outing, Vice President for Equity and Community
