Leading by Example

Jacqueline Mulvehill ’10 knew there was plenty of historical material about Martin Luther King Jr. to draw upon for her speech about the civil rights leader at the second annual Student Leadership Luncheon on Jan. 15 at Holy Cross.

But it was when she viewed the video of King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech — which she found on YouTube — that Mulvehill was truly inspired. Watching it was a powerful moment for her, she said in her speech to students, faculty, and administrators. The call she heard from King echoed in how she views her responsibility as a member of the diverse Holy Cross community, she said; and helps inform the Jesuit call to be “men and women for others.”

The keynote speaker, Calvin Hill, director of diversity programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, urged his audience to “step outside your comfort zone” by getting to know people from different cultures and backgrounds; and that carrying King’s legacy is “in your hands.”

The luncheon offers an opportunity for student leaders — resident assistants, multicultural peer educators, and orientation leaders — to reflect on their position as role models for other students, and the positive impact they can have on increasing awareness of and sensitivity toward human differences. Approximately 50 students took part in the luncheon. Each table was hosted by a senior administrator at the College.

Hill is a former candidate for the City of Worcester school committee. Prior to joining WPI, he spent several years teaching in academia, most recently at Anna Maria College in Paxton, where he was an assistant professor in the Division of Business, Law and Public Policy.

He received his bachelor of arts degree in history-political science from Bethany College, master of science in student personnel administration from Emporia State University, and a doctorate of philosophy in political science from Howard University.

The event was sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Education and the “Hate: Not Here!” committee.