Message from the Vice President

The theme for the 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebration is "Exploring Civil Rights through Arts and Culture"- a theme consistent with the University's year long focus on the arts and culture and an interest area of Dr. King during his lifetime.

Two quotes from Dr. King demonstrate how highly he valued the arts and culture.

"Every [one] lives in two realms, the internal and the external. The internal is that realm of spiritual ends expressed in art, literature, morals, and religion."

"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits."

The arts and culture are very important to humanity, as the above quotes show, and are also significant venues for expressing issues and events related to civil rights and the civil rights movement. Many persons from the arts and culture professions were either involved with Dr. King and the civil rights movement or were strong supporters of their efforts.

I encourage all to participate in this year's Dr. King Holiday celebration activities, to continue to honor the tradition and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to visit the two exhibits at the Michigan State University Museum which is reflective of arts and culture ("Quilts and Human Rights"- January 15- August 24, 2008; and "African American Quilt Artist Demonstration and Exhibition Gallery"- January 21, 2008).

Lee N. June

Vice President for Student Affairs and Services

Associate Provost for Academic Student Services and Multicultural Issues