'Why not us?': MLK dinner focuses on Illinois' potential as leader in higher ed
Illinois' potential to lead the nation as a model of opportunity for higher education and enlightenment was the key theme of the weekend's 54th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance Dinner in Palatine.
The Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations event Saturday night emphasized the late civil rights leader's recognition of the importance of education in opening doors and building societal equity.
As such, University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen was the recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Honor at Cotillion Banquets.
“This is not an award, this is an honor we're bestowing on you,” said the Rev. Clyde Brooks, founder and chairman of the commission.
“This means more to me than I can adequately express,” Killeen said in accepting on behalf of all educators before an audience of civic leaders. “All of you are so resolutely on the right side of history.”
While King knew the power of education, he also cautioned that in the wrong hands it could produce close-minded propagandism, Killeen said. The University of Illinois system was born of the best intentions in 1862 and has stayed on that path through adaptation to changing opportunities, he added.
“I think Illinois as a state is extremely well positioned to lead,” Killeen said. “Why not us? Why not now? ... There's more bandwidth than anywhere else. I think we can build a platform that's very different from the coasts.”
Emcee and NBC 5 Chicago reporter Regina Waldroup said she's the youngest of nine children who are all college educated. She tearfully thanked her parents for recognizing the path to success for her and her siblings.
While every King remembrance is intended to be inspiring, Brooks said that as he nears the end of his ninth decade he's tiring of society often paying only lip service to its potential for improvement.
“There is a big movement in this country — backwards,” he said. “There are some things we just keep saying over and over and over again. We've got our work cut out. We've got to wake up because we're in some difficult times. Let's wake up and defend each other and love each other. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're asleep.”