[Important Information for Employees] Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus,


“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we look forward to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January
16, 2023, we remember an individual who dedicated his life to the belief
that social change through nonviolent means was not only necessary, but
possible. Dr. King promoted equality and tolerance, hope and peace, by
demonstrating through his own humble service to others that we are all
responsible for creating a safer, kinder, more peaceful world.

Next Monday is an important day to remember Dr. King’s life, and to keep
the spirit of his inspirational message alive.

I am so grateful for our faculty and staff, who have committed their
careers to educating our students and supporting their success. I am so
proud of our students and alumni who serve our campus and continue to
support their communities after they graduate. It is through these efforts,
and through important days of remembrance like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day, that we can keep Dr. King’s message and his ideals alive despite the
barriers and challenges some members of our community face on a daily
basis. As a university community we continue to invest in our efforts to be
the most inclusive, most equitable campus we can be, knowing that our
diversity is a crucial aspect of our identity, existence, and our
excellence.

I strongly encourage all who are available to attend this year’s annual Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration to be held on January 16, 2023. The
event is hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, and begins
at 1:30 p.m. It will be held in the Newman Center located at 90 Broad
Street in Plattsburgh and our Vice President for Diversity, Equity &
Inclusion, Allison Heard, will be the featured speaker. Dr. Dexter Criss
and the MLK Singers will perform at the celebration, as will the
Plattsburgh High School Select Choir, under the direction of Mr. Bill
Verity.

Furthermore, in recognition of the 2023 National Day of Racial Healing, the
Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Truth, Racial Healing, and
Transformation (TRHT) Center invite everyone to attend a watch party on
Tuesday, January 17th, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. This hybrid event will be
physically located in the H.U.B. (in the Angell College Center) on the SUNY
Plattsburgh Campus, with a Zoom option
<https://plattsburgh.zoom.us/j/91467215292?pwd=b0ZxeGMvOFNzdWhqTG9lVWlDcFhkdz09>
for those who wish to attend virtually.

The watch party will be divided into three, one-hour sessions. Each session
will include a screening of a different episode from the digital
series #CHANGINGTHENARRATIVE
– BUFFALO, and will be followed by a discussion led by a SUNY Plattsburgh
TRHT member. The screening schedule is as follows:


   -

   1:30-2:30: Watch Part 1
   https://healourcommunities.org/day-of-racial-healing2/watch/buffalo/

Discussion led by Allison Heard, V.P. of DEI, on the diversity, equity and
inclusion challenges and issues faced on our campus and in our North
Country communities


   -

   2:30-3:30: Watch Part 2
   https://healourcommunities.org/day-of-racial-healing2/watch/buffalo/

Discussion led by Dr. Vincent Carey and Mrs. Jacqueline Madison on the
history of systemic racism in the Plattsburgh area and its impact on our
present day communities


   -

   3:30-4:30: Watch Part 3
   https://healourcommunities.org/day-of-racial-healing2/watch/buffalo/

Discussion led by Professor Bridget Haina on the SUNY Plattsburgh TRHT
Center’s mission, progress and plans for the future.

I would encourage campus community members to join all three sessions -
however, participants may come and go as their schedule permits. These
events are a true reflection of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, and I
appreciate all involved for their many contributions to make this an
institution of engagement, connection, and learning.

As we all work to make diversity, equity and inclusion a campus-wide effort
and a critical component of our daily practice, please take a moment to
review the first edition of Diversity News
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/_documents/plattslife/diversity-news-january-2023.pdf>.
This publication will be distributed to campus on a monthly basis during
2023, and will also be archived on the university website
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/plattslife/diversity/resources.html>. The goal
is to provide ongoing updates about campus and community information and
events with the goal of keeping us all engaged and connected throughout the
year.

Dr. King once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What
are you doing for others?” While we will always have more work to do, we
are deeply committed to every aspect of our mission and strategic plan to
become more inclusive and equitable. With this in mind, and as we approach
Black History Month, we remember these events not simply as one-day or
one-time efforts but as consistent and ongoing opportunities to remember,
reflect, and re-energize ourselves for the work ahead.

Sincerely,

Alexander Enyedi

President
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