Celebrating Diversity, Justice and Empowerment Through Symposium Discussions  

Seton Hall's Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program will be hosting four symposiums on Thursday, April 25, 2019 through Saturday, April 27, 2019. The events are being held as part of the 23nd annual Petersheim Academic Exposition, a weeklong celebration of the academic achievements and interests of both undergraduate and graduate students.

Forrest Pritchett, Director of Special Events and Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program, looks forward to the conversations and collaborations these symposiums will produce. "Seton Hall strives to produce servant leaders, which can't be learned by simply reading; students need to take part in civic engagement," Pritchett said. "The times we live in today require that a person either hide, or step up and be heard. We are all in a social situation where someone needs to be outspoken and make sure voices are heard, and it is important that our students learn how to do just that."

Diversity and Empowerment Symposium 

Thursday, April 25, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the University Center, Faculty Lounge
The symposium will include presentations from the Martin Luther King Student Association, and First Year students on saints and soulful justice, as well as student research presentations on various diversity topics. 
A film will be shown regarding Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first African American to become a priest in the United States, who is now being considered for sainthood. 

Students in the Peer-To-Peer Diversity Initiative will also be presenting on their experience in the program. This initiative was started in spring 2018, and about 40 student applicants were chosen to receive training as diversity facilitators. They were trained throughout the fall 2018 semester, and have spent this semester presenting on diversity in the freshmen Core University Life classes.

First Year Symposium 

Friday, April 26, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. in the University Center, Chancellor's Suite
Freshmen Studies is hosting this symposium, where first year students representing various programs throughout the University will take part in a student panel. Questions will be based on the National Study of Student Engagement, which was conducted on the quality of education beyond academics in the classroom for college students.

Mandela-King Symposium on Global Justice 

Friday, April 26, 11:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m. in the University Center, Chancellor's Suite
Students will present research devoted to the visions and energies of Mandela and King Jr. They will also discuss what advocacy efforts the men might collaborate on in today's society.

Social Justice Symposium 

Saturday, March 23, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the University Center, Chancellor's Suite 
The Social Justice Symposium will include alumni currently working with social agencies, as well as students from various colleges who will present on work they have done in social justice. There will also be presentations from Seton Hall students involved in social justice initiatives on campus, such as the Concerned 44, the Peer to Peer Initiative, and Anthropology and the Black Caucas, who will share their experiences as activists on campus.