In honor of Martin Luther King Day, UTC will hold a commemorative breakfast and coat drive to benefit the area’s homeless population.

“We need to take every opportunity to make sure Dr. King’s legacy is remembered and commemorated," said Dr. Bryan Samuel, director of the UTC Office of Equity and Diversity.  "When we think of diversity and civil rights, some assume it only helped out certain people, but it helped the entire country. Because of King’s work, every person now has equal opportunity to be treated with dignity and human kindness.” 

The UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs and UTC Office of Equity and Diversity will be holding a commemorative breakfast, “The Dreams of the 60s, A Legacy for Today,” with keynote speaker, Diane Nash, a civil rights and peace activist, on Tuesday at 8:30 a m. in the Chattanooga Room of the University Center. 

Ms. Nash was a student at Fisk University in Nashville in 1960 when she led a campaign of sit-ins to protest segregation. Her efforts resulted in the first successful civil rights campaign to desegregate lunch counters in the city.

For more information about this event, call Lindy Harp at 425-5648 or e-mail lindy-harp@utc.edu.

The University will also be gathering new and gently used coats, gloves, socks, hats and scarves through Friday in Room 322 of the University Center to give to the area homeless.

“MLK Service Day falls so close to the beginning of the spring semester, it has been difficult for students, faculty and staff to participate in this national event," Carol Oglesby, Coordinator of Student Civic Engagement and Physical Health Education and Promotion in the UTC Division of Student Development, said. "However, this year we chose an activity that was not all consuming of time, yet accomplished an important goal of the Chattanooga Rescue Mission – to give warmth to those who are cold.” 

Martin Luther King Day volunteers will separate the clothing and take the items to the Chattanooga Rescue Mission on Monday, Jan. 21.

“We chose to partner with the Chattanooga Rescue Mission because they are not as visible as some other organizations and they are a donation-funded ministry that does not accept any government assistance, but depends solely on the generosity of others," said Ms. Oglesby.  "They also have a Winter Warmth Drive this month in an effort to collect winter clothes and help the homeless beat the cold."

For more information, contact Carol Oglesby at 425-2337 or Carol-Oglesby@utc.edu.