ADP in the News │ January 8th Edition

By Caitlin Reilly, Program Associate, American Democracy Project

ADP in the News is a compilation of brief updates about American Democracy Project activities at ADP colleges and universities and is a semi-regular news feature on our blog. Below you will find the latest edition of this information.

If you have an ADP event you’d like posted in this format, please email adp@aascu.org.

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JFK Honored on Campus on Anniversary of his Death

In partnership with the Hulman Memorial Student Union Board, ADP sponsored a viewing of “JFK: Three Shots that Changed America” at Indiana State University.  The documentary covers the assassination of President John F. Kennedy from the president’s final speech to the search and arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald. Read more here.

ADP partnered with University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) history and political science departments to sponsor a daylong program in honor of the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s death.  The event featured a screening of “Remembering a Tragedy: Reflections on the 50^th Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy” and a panel discussion lead by UNI professors.  Read more here.
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Indian Mascots Go on Trial at Weber State

Should college sports teams be able to use American Indians as mascots?  That was the subject of an ADP Issues trial held at Weber State University (Utah).  Attorneys argued different sides of the question, and the verdict was left to audience members to decide for themselves. Read more here.
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Political Science Professors Invite Community Members for Project on Local Issues

California State Fullerton political science professors in association with ADP held a town hall-style meeting with nearly 300 students to encourage them to be active citizens in their local communities.  The event was open to the public and allowed participants to discuss local government issues, including homelessness, local elections and transportation issues.  Read more here.
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Campus Embraces Civic Engagement through American Democracy Project

Illinois State University reflects on its 10th anniversary as a participant in the American Democracy Project. On the Illinois State campus, ADP is a joint endeavor between both the academic and student affairs departments, which some believe has allowed it to thrive there.  The interim director of Illinois State’s School of Communications, Stephen Hunt, is currently the national coordinator of ADP’s Political Engagement Project.  Read more here.
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“Heroes” Event to Feature Crystal Mercer

Crystal C. Mercer of Little Rock, daughter of legendary civil rights lawyer Christopher C. Mercer Jr., will give a dramatic performance as part of “Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Freedom in the Visual and Performing Arts” at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (UAFS).  The event will also include a student-led panel speaking on “Finding Your Voice in the Arts” and the presentation of the Unsung Hero Award given by ADP at UAFS.  Read more here.
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ADP to Sponsor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program

In conjunction with the MLK Day of Service, ADP invited David Baker, president of the Anniston-Calhoun County Branch of the NAACP to present a talk at Jacksonville State University (Ala.).  The talk is entitled, “A Good Time to Stand Up” and will address the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s, Jr. activism, and how his vision and efforts are relevant to contemporary issues of social justice and change. Read more here.