January 17, 2018

Justice Robert Rucker speaks at Purdue’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Justice Robert Rucker speaking Justice Robert Rucker on Tuesday (Jan. 16) presents the keynote for Purdue's celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) Download image

Justice Robert Rucker, the 105th appointee to the Indiana Supreme Court and before that a judge on the Indiana Court of Appeals, on Tuesday (Jan. 16) provided the keynote for the Purdue University celebration of the life and legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Rucker spoke in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse.

The evening program also included the presentation of Purdue's 2018 Dreamer Award.

Rucker, who retired last year, was the first African American to serve on the Indiana Court of Appeals and only the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court of Indiana, having been appointed in 1999.

Rucker, who grew up in Gary, Indiana, is recognized as a pioneer in his dedication to increasing the diversity in the legal profession. He appointed people of color to serve on various Supreme Court boards and commissions, as well as consistently hiring lawyers of color to serve as his law clerks on the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Rucker was appointed to serve as a judge on the Indiana Court of Appeals in 1991. During his time on the Court of Appeals, Rucker served as vice chair of the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education. He holds the accomplishment of being the longest-sitting justice, having served 18 years.

“Judge Rucker has dedicated his career to civil rights issues and has been a champion of diversity and inclusion,” said Renee Thomas, director of the Purdue Black Cultural Center. “He has a strong commitment to equality for all, and audience members will be inspired by his personal journey.”

Rucker’s talk was preceded by a candlelight vigil and march from the Black Cultural Center to Loeb Playhouse, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

In addition, the Purdue Dreamer Award was presented to Rodrigo Bañuelos, professor of mathematics, and Kevin D. Gibson, professor of botany and plant pathology, during the King event. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose contributions embody King’s vision of service and further the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. A list of previous recipients can be found online.

Other celebration highlights include:

* Jan. 17. 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Stewart Center, Room 314, and 2 to 3:30 pm in Wilmeth Active Learning Center, Room 1132. “Let's Talk About Race” workshops. Led by Fernando Burga, assistant professor in urban planning and regional planning at the University of Minnesota, and Eriks Dunens, statewide extension educator in leadership and civic engagement at the University of Minnesota.

* Jan. 17. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Rawls Hall, Room 3082. "The Intersectional Ally" workshop presented by Tarah Fleming. Participants will enact the work of building solidarity using storytelling and group dialog on issues of identity relating to race, orientation, gender, ability and class.

* Jan. 17. 12 to 1 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 204. "Civility and Emotional Resilience in Polarized Times."

* Jan. 17. 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Black Cultural Center, Room MP2. Kinfolk Dinner (Poetry and Oral Stores). Featuring Danicia Malone, Sarah Speir and Florence Adibu.

* Jan. 18. 12 to 1:30 p.m. in Pfendler Hall, Deans Auditorium (Room 241). "MLK Jr. Influence on Poverty and Nutrition Education." Brown bag lunch. Speakers include Emily Wickert Brant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry; Amy Carter, Indiana Institute for Working Families; and Maxine Thomas, RESULTS Indianapolis. Moderated by Melissa Maulding, director of Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Programs.

* Jan. 18. 2 to 5 p.m. in Krannert Building, Parrish Library Corporate Study Room. "Become an Ally" Safe Zone Training with the Purdue LGBTQ Center.

* Jan. 18. 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center. "Who is MLK? And Other World Activists: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, Ella Baker, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai."

* Jan. 19. 11:30 a.m. in Krannert Building, Krannert Auditorium. Krannert Executive Forum led by Roland Parrish.

* Jan. 19. Noon to 1:30 p.m. in Pfendler Hall, Deans Auditorium (Room 241). "Family Feud, Purdue Style: Opinions and Facts about the Life of Martin Luther King Jr." A live game show for faculty, staff graduate students, undergraduate students and alumni. College of Agriculture vs. College of Health and Human Sciences.

* Jan. 19. 3 p.m. in Krannert Building, Krannert Drawing Room. BOP 50th Celebration Kickoff: A Toast to Dr. Cornell A. Bell.

* Jan. 19. 5:30 p.m. in Krannert Building, Room G016. Dating Across Racial Groups. Film viewing and panel discussion.

Writers: Olivia Crouse, ocrouse@purdue.edu
Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu


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