Three schools joined together to pay homage to the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday evening. Students, faculty and staff from LSU, Southern University and Baton Rouge Community College attended the 2007 Unity Celebration at the Faculty Club. Chancellor Sean O’Keefe and representatives from Southern and BRCC read statements affirming their commitment to strengthening unity locally and among the three campuses. Representatives from each school communicated their interpretations of King’s message of social bonds and equality in a portion of the Unity Celebration called “Expressions Of Unity.” Chrystal Ellis, liberal arts senior at BRCC, recited an original poem titled “Were The Sacrifices Worth It?” Ellis, who is 50 years old, said her life is influenced by King’s legacy because it opened her eyes to the power of unity. “It gave me the ability to strive for what I want,” she said. “So, basically, he gave me the will to never give up.” Seven members of Southern’s Blue And Gold Dance Troupe performed India Arie’s “Beautiful.” Student government presidents from the three schools recognized the “behind the scenes” achievements of several individuals with three Unsung Heroes Awards. SG President Chris Odinet presented an Unsung Heroes Award to the LSU Information Technology Services. Ric Simmons, Dee Childs and Brian Voss accepted the award on behalf of IT Services which employs about 170 people on campus. Odinet said students nominated IT Services for the award because of their work with the African American Cultural Center. He said IT Services helped set up computers, connected wireless Internet and maintained the technological needs of the center. “We feel like we do our best work when no one sees – when it’s just there,” Voss said. Niiobli Armah, Southern SGA president, presented another Unsung Heroes Award to Jason Hughes, Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s legislative coordinator. “I think he serves best for the Unsung Heroes Award for Southern University because, like all of us, he is a direct descendent of Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy,” Armah said. Troy Addison, BRCC SGA president, said the school gave its Unsung Heroes Award to Stephen Andrus Sr., who moved to Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina, for his work promoting student leadership at the school.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]