Georgia Southern University will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. with events including a keynote speaker, an educational trip to Atlanta, and participation in both the Savannah and Statesboro MLK parades.
“Recognizing that we all have a role to play in the realization of Dr. King’s dream, this year’s celebration theme is ‘do small things in a great way,’” said Dominique A. Quarles, Ph.D., associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence and chief diversity officer. “Throughout the celebration, we will be speaking to the impact of using one’s sphere of influence to transform their community.”
Atlanta Metropolitan State College President Georj Lewis, Ed.D., will return to Georgia Southern as the special guest speaker for the University’s 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Day on Jan. 13.
Lewis, who formerly served as vice president for student affairs at Georgia Southern and Armstrong State University, will speak to students, faculty and staff on the University’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah and Statesboro Campus. A breakfast will take place at 8:30 a.m. in the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center ballroom in Statesboro, followed by a lunch at 12:30 p.m. in the Armstrong Center Ballroom in Savannah.
“I am excited to come back to a place that has been so meaningful to me personally and professionally,” said Lewis. “Furthermore, I am more than honored to have a part in celebrating one of our greatest Americans, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Lewis has nearly 30 years of experience in higher education and his career has centered around the development of educational partnerships, student advocacy and the development and implementation of programs that promote professional development.
He moved to Georgia in 2002 to lead student diversity programming efforts at Georgia Southern and went on to serve as the institution’s dean of students. Lewis has served in leadership and cabinet-level positions since 2012. In May of 2019, Lewis was tapped to serve as interim president and, in November of 2019, was officially named the fourth president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College. His early higher education experience included admissions and multicultural affairs roles at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
Lewis has received several awards, and most recently was recognized as a 2021 Pillar of the Profession by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). He is also a recipient of the Paragon Award for New Presidents by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
He has recently collaborated on a book chapter in the “Handbook of Research on Black Males.”
Lewis is active in the Metro Atlanta community as a member of the board of directors of the ATL Airport Chamber, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Regional Educational Service Agency. He also serves as a subcommittee member of the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Inc., and a Metro Atlanta Industry Partnerships Partner.
In addition to the events with Lewis, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement will host Eagles in Action: MLK’s Legacy Weekend by providing a day trip to Atlanta on Jan. 14. While in Atlanta, participants will learn, engage and explore the connections between service and social justice through visits to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
On Jan. 16, the Georgia Southern community will participate in both the Savannah MLK parade at 10 a.m., hosted by the MLK Observance Day Association, and the Statesboro MLK parade at 2 p.m., hosted by the Bulloch County NAACP Branch.
