Newswise — Each year in January, a group of students from UALR -- the University of Arkansas at Little Rock -- honor Dr. Martin Luther King's dream by engaging in discussions and participating in community service projects.
But this year on Martin Luther King Day 2009, UALR students will be in Washington, D.C., to witness the culmination of the civil rights leader's dream " the inauguration of Barack Obama, elected president by a nation that didn't judge him by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character.
The King birthday holiday comes the day before America inaugurates the country's first black president, and UALR's King Day organizers came up with a plan to celebrate one event by witnessing the other.
"It was almost a spur-of-the-moment decision and took a whirlwind of logistics, but we found a bus, locked down accommodations and " thanks to Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., and his staff " received tickets for the noon Tuesday ceremony," said Dr. Jan Austin, director of the Office of Campus Life.
Tashayla Collins-Williams, minority student advocate in the Office of Campus Life, made arrangements to charter a bus to the swearing in of the 44th president. Austin said students making the trip include members of the Student Government Association, the Residence Hall Association, and other UALR student organizations. Students participating were nominated based on their service and involvement in campus activities.
"The Martin Luther King Leadership Academy has earned a special place in the hearts of many UALR students and alumni. This trip represents a multitude of things for all Americans " it just seemed natural and appropriate that we take this trip," Collins-Williams said. "I am excited to have worked with people who though it to be a worthwhile pursuit for students. I know " because they have told me over and over again " that the students will never forget this opportunity."
A bus carrying 18 students and two staff members will depart from campus at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The students will be keeping journals of their impressions and experiences. They will also be blogging and posting their photographs and videos in a UALR inauguration site will be linked to the UALR homepage, ualr.edu.
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