Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:
Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his extraordinary commitment to social justice and racial equality. In his address at Monmouth on Oct. 11, 1966, King remarked, “Somewhere we must come to see that human progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and the persistent work of dedicated individuals…”
We are fortunate to be part of a community that develops, challenges, and supports individuals dedicated to ensuring that human progress continues to move forward towards inclusivity, equality, and social justice. With that good fortune comes the responsibility to confront the realities of rampant economic inequality, racial and social unrest, political divisiveness, global climate change, and financial uncertainty.
As part of our ongoing commitment to understanding these issues, I hope you will set aside time on Wednesday, Jan. 31 for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Lecture on Social Justice, organized by the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion. The featured speaker is Anneliese Singh, Ph.D., LPC, professor and chief diversity officer/associate provost for Diversity and Faculty Development at Tulane University, author of “The Racial Healing Handbook,” and co-founder of the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition and the Trans Resilience Project.
I am grateful for the persistent work of our students and colleagues and the intentional efforts across our campus to foster a truly welcoming and inclusive community.
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President