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UI&U Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Day Social justice is at the forefront of learning everyday at Union Institute & University. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence was started in 1993 by current Florida State Senator Dr. Frederica S. Wilson, after she noticed a pattern of young minority boys being incarcerated, entering the drug trade, or dropping out of school. Not willing to sit back and allow society and poverty to destroy the lives of our children, Sen. Wilson began to challenge the men of Miami-Dade County to intervene in the lives of “at-risk” youth. Initiated by the Miami-Dade County School Board, the 5000 African American Male Role Models of Excellence continues to serve as a major force in the transition of raising young boys into manhood. UI&U’s Florida Center community involvement extends beyond 5000 Role Models of Excellence. The center is actively involved with chambers in Miami-Dade County including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Greater North Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, as well as the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce. “I had no idea I was nominated, and I am honored to have been chosen by the committee. It is truly a gift, and I am humbled,” she said. Each year, University Hospital awards the MLK scholarship to a few select employees who best exemplify the work of Dr. King – those who have demonstrated meaningful involvement in human rights and social justice, and who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. “Opportunity is important, but Joyce has a selfless gene, that like Dr. King demonstrated so many times,” said the nominating committee, about Joyce, “Many mornings at 5:30 a.m. Joyce is preparing for a walk, run, health screenings, political rally, urban renewal activities, or other service related projects. Joyce consistently bridges the gap and lives the dream.” Joyce has been pivotal in the development of the University Hospital Ambassador Program, leading 26 people from all areas of the hospital to excel in special events and programs to assist the hospital in building relationships with the community, their fellow associates, and the hospital’s stakeholders. In October, she expanded the University Hospital Ambassador Program with the introduction of the hospital’s Explorer Program sponsored by the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Today, high school students ages 14 and above are participating in a 9-month program at the hospital to explore the many healthcare career opportunities. The University Hospital Ambassadors serve as their advisors and mentors. A tireless leader in efforts to improve her community, Joyce also served as the executive director of AMOS Project, a group of congregations committed to living out faith through public action. “Joyce has many contacts in this community and shares their ideas to make the world a better place for the next generation,” said the committee. “Each time Joyce commits to a project, she involves others, but never takes the credit for the success. Joyce is a leader just as Dr. King was.” Joyce is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in business administration at UI&U, but she plans on continuing her education well after she graduates. “I am so delighted to be on this road with Union Institute & University. I am eager and hungry for knowledge and my professors at UI&U are assisting me in my journey,” says the grandmother of two. “I don’t see myself stopping (education pursuits). I plan on getting my doctorate.” Joyce says she couldn’t have come this far without the help of her family. She often does her homework alongside her grandchildren, Dominic and Nina, and says she is grateful to her parents, Glen Ramsey and Gladys Berry. “They are the reason I am who I am today,” she says. Williams presented "Shattered Dreams," a program in which he takes on the persona of Martin Luther King Jr. During this presentation, he challenges the audience to accept the moral and social responsibility of civil rights and human dignity. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ohio Northern University and a master's in education from the University of Dayton. His doctoral studies center around the psychological effects of oppression. Williams has written and directed several plays, coordinated racism panels and lectured in the history and political science departments at Ohio Northern University. In addition, he serves as a community volunteer with a local food pantry, Habitat for Humanity, a teen theater group, and the Special Olympics. Alumni and Learner Features Sundee’s book (www.sundeefrazier.com) is about ten-year-old Brendan, a Tae Kwon Do blue belt, who takes a scientific approach to everything he does.Brendan daringly seeks answers to the conflict surrounding his biracial family and builds a secret friendship with his estranged white grandfather. Cohort Ph.D. Program Debates “Is God Colorblind?” in Toledo, Ohio
On Sunday morning, doctoral learner Rupert Loyd, associate pastor at the Mayfair Plymouth Congregational Christian Church in Toledo, opened the doors of his sanctuary and shared the pulpit with fellow cohort learner Charles Montgomery, director of ministry at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus. Rupert and Charles debated the question “Is God colorblind?” during the church’s regular service hours, helping the cohort to bring the issue to light within the congregation and to engage members of the community. After the service, learners, faculty, and members of the community continued their discussion at a group lunch. As an added attraction, Rupert spoke before the service about UI&U and its mission, especially the way in which it influences the cohort program. You can view each side of the cohort debate, as well as doctoral learner Jeffrey Shepard’s opening scripture reading, on Communique, UI&U’s media center |
Several faculty, learners, and alumni of UI&U in North Miami Beach participated in the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast that provides thousands of Role Model boys with funds to further their education.
UI&U current learner, Joyce Kinley, was awarded the MLK Scholarship from Cincinnati’s University Hospital at the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Celebration. Kinley is manager of external affairs for the hospital and also serves as one of the celebration’s organizers. She says she was surprised when she heard she would be one of this year’s honorees.
UI&U doctoral student Leon Williams, director of intercultural programs at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, was featured as the guest speaker at Lenoir-Rhyne College’s annual MLK Day Celebration in Hickory, NC.
Sundee T. Frazier’s latest book, Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It, published by Delacorte/Random House Press, was recently awarded the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award. Sundee is a graduate of Vermont’s MFA program and served as director of admissions for UI&U’s LA center.
During the weekend of September 28-29, 2007, members of the Cohort Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies program’s first cohort (matriculated June 2006) gathered in Toledo, Ohio, to collaborate on a project for the cohort’s leadership group.
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