Spring Semester Sees Outstanding Lineup of Speakers

Otterbein planned a lineup of signature events this spring featuring speakers on social justice, servant leadership, and the importance of diversity and inclusion.

The Otterbein community celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual MLK Convocation on Jan. 18 with a keynote address by Donja Thomas, Ph.D., an educator, writer, scholar, and Black studies activist. She shared how King’s dream is not just about the attainment of an ideal aspiration, it is also about the determined ambition behind our collective intentions towards economic and social justice. She encouraged each person to use their “superpower” to work together. You can watch a recording of the convocation at otterbein.edu/mlk

The Kathy A. Krendl Distinguished Lecture Series welcomed U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty to campus on Feb. 15. She discussed the types of leaders we need to create unity and overcome the unique challenges our society faces. Beatty represents Ohio’s Third Congressional District. In the 118th Congress, she serves on the exclusive House Committee on Financial Services as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions. Learn more at otterbein.edu/krendl.

Finally, the community is invited to attend the Vernon L. Pack ’50 Distinguished Lecture Series featuring author and activist Heather McGhee at 7 p.m. on April 4. Go to otterbein.edu/pack for additional information, including the location and livestream.

Over her career in public policy, McGhee has crafted legislation, testified before Congress and helped shape presidential campaign platforms. Her book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together spent 10 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and was longlisted for the National Book Award and Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. The New York Times called it, “the book that should change how progressives talk about race.”

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy visited Otterbein on Oct. 18 to have a discussion with students, faculty, staff, and the community about America’s mental health crisis as part of Nationwide Children's On Our Sleeves campaign. The nation’s top doctor, Surgeon General Murthy, is a national advocate in the youth mental health movement.