Annual occasion honors legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
With the theme of “The Energy of the Dream: Higher Collectively,” the twenty first annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast, held Jan. 17 on the College of Georgia’s Tate Pupil Middle, seemed on the good that may be completed when everybody serves.
“I wish to thank your whole for being right here right this moment to honor Dr. King’s legacy and for recommitting ourselves to the collective efforts that he stood for and to realizing his imaginative and prescient and dream for all of right here on the College of Georgia, on this group, on this nation and all through the world,” mentioned UGA President Jere W. Morehead.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead welcomes company to the 2025 Freedom Breakfast (Photograph by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Thomas C. Settles III, senior pastor of Calvary Bible Church, chaplain for the College of Georgia soccer staff and campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, used his keynote deal with to encourage folks to consider how they will accomplish their work by coming collectively.
“Our theme for the 2025 Freedom Breakfast is ‘Higher Collectively’ as a result of Dr. King’s life embodied the idea that we’re actually higher collectively,” Settles mentioned. “I need us to go away right here this morning serious about the wonderful work that’s but to be completed in our college, in our metropolis and in our nation. I need you to go away right here recognizing that we’re higher collectively.”
Thomas C. Settles III delivers the keynote deal with on the 2025 Freedom Breakfast. (Photograph by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Settles shared a number of factors from King’s life associated to that theme, together with that King envisioned a world that didn’t but exist. Even now, he mentioned, folks can have a look at issues otherwise and see obstacles as alternatives.
Settles additionally mirrored upon one in all King’s most mirrored passages that, “The time is at all times proper to do what is true.” Settles inspired the viewers to take alternatives to serve after they really feel referred to as.
“For us to be higher collectively, we’d like everybody to be engaged within the sport,” Settles mentioned. “We have to have love as our emblem, we’d like people who find themselves extra centered on being trustworthy than well-known, and we have to keep in mind it’s at all times proper to do proper.”
Along with honoring the legacy of the late civil rights chief, the Freedom Breakfast additionally acknowledges college students, college, workers and area people members devoted to fostering goodwill by civic engagement with the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award.
This yr’s recipients are:
- Rayna Carter, a third-year pupil pursuing a Bachelor of Science diploma in psychology whereas additionally pursuing twin Bachelor of Arts levels in sociology and girls’s research;
- Jeremy Daniel, assistant to the director for strategic initiatives on the Carl Vinson Institute of Authorities, a unit of the Workplace of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach; and
- Harold Rittenberry, famend Athens sculptor and artist.
The Daybreak D. Bennett Alexander Inclusive Neighborhood Award was additionally offered to Candice Hollenbeck, senior lecturer within the Terry School of Enterprise’ advertising and marketing division.
“I’m reminded of Dr. King’s highly effective phrases, ‘Life’s most persistent and pressing query is what are you doing for others?’ The people we’ve honored right this moment have answered that query with their work, their braveness and their dedication to creating a greater world for us all,” mentioned Rod Guajardo, who serves assistant to the president and offered the awards.
As a part of the occasion, Wayne Spencer, a senior at Clarke Central Excessive College, carried out “Elevate Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and “Wake Up Everyone.”
Moreover, college students from the Clarke County College District shared a few of their writing and art work celebrating King’s legacy across the theme, “The Energy of Peace.”
“Our theme, ‘Higher Collectively,’ calls on us acknowledge that our collective power is present in our unity. Dr. King understood the ability of becoming a member of arms throughout strains of distinction. At this time, we have now witnessed what that appears like in follow,” mentioned Alton Standifer, vice provost for inclusive excellence and chief of workers to the provost. “Our award recipients, our keynote speaker and each particular person right here — every of you embodies the progress we will make after we stand collectively.”
