Georgia Institute of Technology

Honoring the Dream

Fri, 01/14/2011 - 10:52am

On January 17 Georgia Tech will join fellow Atlantans and Americans in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a time for both reflection and action with a number of special activities planned.

On January 14 and 15, we will welcome more than 100 participants from campuses across the nation for our 20th annual FOCUS weekend. This program provides an opportunity for minority students from around the country to explore opportunities available in graduate school and serves as a model for other universities.

It is fitting that FOCUS is held each year as part of the weekend when we celebrate the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., since the vision for the program came from one of his many inspirational quotes: “Education without social action is a one-sided value because it has no true power potential. Social action without education is a weak expression of pure energy.”

Georgia Tech has a proud tradition of service, it is part of our motto and many continue to volunteer in our community. Last fall, more than 2,100 Tech volunteers worked in more than 40 locations throughout the city, when TEAM Buzz Service Day combined with Hands on Atlanta. This past weekend, many of our students also participated in the Governor’s Day of Service.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, January 17, Georgia Tech will host the 18th Annual Hands On Atlanta Martin Luther King Jr. Service Summit at the Ferst Center for the Arts. This event is part of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the matriculation of the first black students, and honors Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of service. The Summit provides an opportunity to recognize those who have committed themselves to service and honors the life of a man who inspired many. It is open to the public, and I hope you will participate. We need your energy and your voice.