Georgetown sociologist Dyson to keynote MLK Week at UNL

            Award-winning author Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, will be the keynote speaker at the Chancellor's Program on Jan. 21 during the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Week.

            An American Book Award recipient and two-time NCAA Image Award winner, Dyson will deliver "Beyond Race, Addressing the Universal Commonality of Concern" during the 3:30 p.m. program in the ballroom of the Nebraska Union, 14th and R streets.

            During the program, Chancellor Harvey Perlman will present the 2014 Fulfilling the Dream Award to Jake Kirkland, assistant director of Career Services at UNL. The award honors individuals or groups who have contributed to the UNL community or the wider Lincoln community by their exemplary action in promoting King's goals and vision.

            Dyson is one of the nation's most influential and renowned public intellectuals. In 2011, he received widespread attention for his course, "Sociology of Hip-Hop: Jay-Z." His legendary rise -- from welfare father to Princeton Ph.D., from church pastor to college professor, from a factory worker who didn't start college until hie was 21, to a figure who has become what writer Naomi Wolf termed "the ideal public intellectul of our time" -- may help explain why author Nathan McCall calls him a "street fighter in suit and tie."

            He has taught at Chicago Theological Seminary, Brown University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University, DePaul University and the University of Pennsylvania. A faculty member at Georgetown since 2007, his books include "Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X" (1994) and "Come Hell or High Water: Hurrican Katrina and the Color of Disaster" (2006). He is a regular guest on "Real Time with Bill Maher" and is a political analyst for MSNBC.

            Following is a list of other events on the UNL campus during MLK Week. All MLK Week events at UNL are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

            Jan. 22, 2-6 p.m. -- Service learning project, Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, 15th and S streets. Participants will volunteer at various sites around the community in honor of Dr. King's vision for community outreach.

            Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. -- "Outspoken," and open-mic MLK tribute night at the Nebraska Union. Participants can showcase their creativity through poetry, dance, the spoken word, song or by other methods  while addressing isdsues surrounding the work and legacy of King, including peace, equality and social justice. The grand prize includes an iPad courtesy of Best Buy.

            Jan. 23, 4:30 p.m. reception and 5:30 talk -- "An Evening at the Sheldon: Reception, Dedication and Talk," Sheldon Museum of Art, 12th and R streets. A reception in the Sheldon will be followed by a dedication of artist Helen Ramsaran's work, "Sanctuary," that was installed between the Sheldon and the College of Business Administration. Ramsaran will speak at 5:30.

            Jan. 24, 6-8:30 p.m. -- Afrikan People's Union MLK Banquet, Gaughan Center. Tickets are $15 or $100 per table. Contact Devin Owens by email.