Whittier College News Release

Whittier College
Office of Public Relations
13406 Philadelphia St.
P.O. Box 634
Whittier, CA 90608-0634

Media Contact: (562) 907-4974 or mediarelations@whittier.edu
Reference: 2004-05 #16

WHITTIER COLLEGE CONTEST “DARES TO DREAM”

WHITTIER, CA (January 10, 2005)—“Dare to Dream,” the Fifth Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest at Whittier College, will take place on Thursday, January 27, at the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts on the Whittier campus. An opening reception begins at 6:00 p.m., with the contest following promptly at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, however reservations are required and may be obtained by calling the Shannon Center Box Office, (562) 907-4203.

This annual contest honors the premier civil rights leader of the 20^th century, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by asking students to consider King’s vision for justice and how these lessons still apply in today’s world. Contestants submit an original speech that suggests contributions we can make to further King’s efforts; five to six finalists are then selected to present their works in the Shannon Center before a panel of distinguished judges, which, this year, includes Pico Rivera Councilman Gregory Salcido ’97 and members of the Whittier College faculty and staff.

According to Delaphine Hudson, coordinator for the event and assistant dean of students and director of residential life for the college: “In previous contests, finalists have focused on Dr. King’s achievements and his philosophy of non-violent opposition to social injustice, as well as other related issues like religion, class, gender, age, and sexual orientation.”

The Ruth B. Shannon Center is located at the northeast corner of Painter Ave. and Philadelphia St. on the Whittier College campus.

Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service.

Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.