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“New Custodians of the Dream!”
August 2021. Villanova students, staff, alumni and other community members were informed by University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D., of Villanova’s new role as permanent steward of the original copy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s momentous “I Have a Dream” speech.
T
he announcement, released on the eve of the speech’s 58th anniversary, described how the document came into the University’s possession—through its former steward, George Raveling. Raveling graduated from the University in 1960 and was a former men’s basketball player and assistant coach. He attended the famous March on Washington on August 28, 1963 on a whim, agreeing to volunteer as a member of the security staff the day before the march. In a stroke of luck, fate or coincidence, Raveling found himself face-to-face with King just after he spoke and asked for the copy of his speech. King obliged, and Raveling has been in possession of the speech for the past 58 years. Clearly, however, the speech’s historic significance quickly became more apparent as a major call to action during the Civil Rights Movement. Likewise, Raveling held a consequential role as the document’s keeper.
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According to Donohue’s announcement, Raveling, who also served as the commencement speaker for Class of 2016, has repeatedly articulated his wish to pass stewardship to Villanova University, holding dear the years of instruction, community and Augustinian values instilled in him during his time as a student and coach. The University has entered into a collaboration with the Smithsonian and the National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C. to fulfill the mission of making the document broadly accessible. As part of a long-term loan agreement with the University, the speech will be displayed at the museum as part of the new “Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom” exhibit. The speech, when not on loan to the National Museum of African American History or other like institutions, will permanently reside on campus in a location yet to be determined. •
