Class in session, still Stephens honors Martin Luther King, Jr.

We remember his legacy. We remember his dream. We remember his story and share that with our fellow students and faculty at Stephens College.

On January 16, classes were in session for students at Stephens during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is a federal holiday. Unlike some schools that had a day off during the federal holiday, Stephens continued with classes, but hosted a leadership and diversity workshop in honor and observance of the day.

Some students were opposed to having classes on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Yvonne Chamberlain, director of leadership and diversity at Stephens, said "One reason classes were held was because Stephens was trying to keep its graduation from aligning with MU's."

One of the things they do when they look at the academic calendar or build the academic calendar is they look at when MU's graduation falls and ask whether it will occur when Stephens's does.

They count back the number of class days it is required to meet the criteria for a semester. "Rather than giving students a three day weekend, which we found in the past tends to not get them engage or involved," Chamberlain said, "faculty were encouraged to use the day as an opportunity to reflect on their classroom or take advantage of the programming that we offered to reflect on the values and experiences of Dr. Martin Luther King and what he contributed to the community."

Stephens' College Diversity Coalition collaborated with the Offices of the President and Leadership and Diversity to put on, ‘The Dream Lives On: Igniting the Leader in You.' The workshop was developed and alum, Dr. Kortet Mensah spoke at the Kimball Ballroom from 10 am to noon. She spoke about the characteristics Dr. King possessed and being an effective leader. She also discussed ways to implement those characteristics in students and as leaders on campus. Chamberlain said, "The idea was to take the concept of Martin Luther King Jr. as a civil rights agent for change. The focus was for Mensah to not just discuss racial and cultural things but the advancement of women."

Not only did Mensah talk about change and leadership, she encouraged Stephens' women to make their mark on campus and in the world.

"I liked the workshop and thought it was nice to see someone from Stephens so successful. It was helpful to learn tips on how to lead people," said Samantha Galati, a junior integrated media major.

What Mensah said about leadership and change is what Dr. King exemplified with the Civil Rights Movement, honoring not only the difference he made, but his courage, strength and fight for justice and equality.

"We as a society shouldn't be forgettable about Martin Luther King. Just to have it marked on a calendar…his birthday, there is a reason behind it," Jasmine Johnson, a senior psychology major said. "It's up to us…our generation should be empowered to remember his dream and keep it alive. We still have long ways to go as far as social change."

Although classes carried on as normal, Stephens took the day to remember the legacy and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and, encourage its students to strive to be leaders.