Published on Jan. 17, 2022
Happy New Year, CASE Scholars and Families!
2022 promises to bring a renewed spirit of hope, peace and blessings. I am also reminded of the “road yet to travel” when I recall the events of the past 12 months. As we begin a new year and new academic semester, I want to focus this semester on what we can do proactively and collectively to leave this nation, state and university, better than we found it. Therefore, I elevate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and write this note.
Although Dr. King was not a perfect man, I do believe he taught us much about human rights, justice and equal opportunity and what we can individually and collectively do to enhance our communities. On this day, and throughout this year, it is my endeavor to create a spirit and environment of this beloved community within the hallowed halls of the university and with the people, programs, and services within CASE. Hence, I offer the following steps that we can take to change our situation and our communities.
Dr. King was a fierce believer in voting rights for all humankind. Therefore, one thing that you can do, if you haven’t already done so, is to register to vote! Once you register to vote, please do your part to become knowledgeable about the issues and positions that are up for vote in your community. Remember, all politics is LOCAL!
Dr. King once said “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” In this spirit of service, I wanted to share an old (2010) clip of myself and the service I provided participating in the Big Brother, Big Sister Program, here in Columbia: Click here to check it out.
If you desire additional ways to get involved on the Mizzou campus, please check out this campus link.
Also, I wanted to acknowledge and share that Tuesday, January 18th is the National Day of Racial Healing in which people throughout the United States will strive to restore individuals, repair the damage caused by racism and transform societal structures to affirm the inherent value of all people. Click here for a free virtual program, sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation to celebrate this day.
Finally, as you return to campus, please do so with a renewed spirit of restoration, whether mentally, academically or socially. Please be safe. There will be some new procedures and processes as you return to campus. Please care for yourself and each other. Remember, should you ever need assistance, contact our team.
Have a great day!
#WeAreCASE
E. Andre Thorn, Ph.D
Director, Center for Academic Success & Excellence (CASE)
“Serving Students Since 1995”
110 Student Success Center, 909 Lowry Mall
Columbia, MO 65211
P: 573-882-9208
F: 573-884-4353
www.case.missouri.edu
Indigenous Peoples and Lands Acknowledgement:
I would like to acknowledge that I work in what is colonially known as “Missouri,” and that these were the homelands of the tribal nations of the Nutachi (Missouria), Jiwere (Otoe), Wahzhazhe (Osage), Ogáxpa (Quapaw), Chikasha (Chickasaw), Illini, and Báxoǰe (Ioway), among others.