Focusing on the Power of Youth to Make an Impact

SHERMAN, TEXAS— Austin College hosts the annual community-wide celebration of the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16, at 11 a.m. in Ida Green Communication Center’s Sally and Jim Nation Theatre; 1201 E. Brockett St. The program is free and open to the public.

The 2023 program titled, “Action Through Education and Community Engagement,” focuses on the power of youth to make an impact in our world and is hosted by the College, Grayson County Rotary Club and Sherman Rotary Club.

Keynote speaker Rev. Jimmy Petty has served as the Grayson County Veterans Services Officer since 2010 and is on the Board of Directors for Grayson County Veterans Treatment Court. He is a graduate of West Point and achieved the rank of Army Captain. After a career in manufacturing, Petty completed a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and has served as pastor of Samaria Baptist Church since 2004.

Student speaker Austin College senior Rebecca Osei is a Service Station board member and Peer Writing Assistant. Rebecca is majoring in Public Health and minoring in Nonprofit Organization and Public Service. Other students on the program include Austin College junior Clemon White and senior Kaitlyn Malone. Members of Sherman High School’s Interact chapter will also participate.

Dr. Lisa M. Brown, dean of Social Sciences and professor of psychology, and Clemon White will perform Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” as a special music tribute.

Each year, this event is a fundraising opportunity for the Grayson County NAACP Scholarship. Dr. Al Hambrick of the Grayson County NAACP branch will report on the scholarship recipients from the class of 2022. Along with the Sherman and Grayson County Rotary Clubs, other sponsors that have contributed to the scholarship fund include Douglass Distributing, Undaunted Agency, Sherman Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Sherman. Individual contributions can be made to the scholarship fund via the online charitable giving platform ActBlue or at the event.

Following the celebration, all attendees are invited to a complimentary lunch in the dining hall in Wright Campus Center courtesy of Austin College and ARAMARK Dining Services.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.

Media Contact: Heidi Rushing, hrushing@austincollege.edu, 903.647.3559