A weeklong intensive series of workshops that will bring students from universities across the United States to study and practice the principles of civility, public service and human rights returns to Anderson University beginning on Monday, May 11.
This marks the second year of the Ambassador Andrew Young Fellowship at Anderson University. The program has been named after, and endorsed by, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young as a reminder that participants embody the character, service and legacy of its distinguished namesake. Young, who has earned worldwide recognition as a champion of civil and human rights, helped ensure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and later served as a member of the United States Congress, ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta and as an ordained minister.
“Our Ambassador Young Fellows are standing on the shoulders of giants like Dr. King and Ambassador Young, and I believe they will emerge as leaders in their own right, helping to stem the rising tide of violence in our nation and world,” said Anderson University Distinguished Professor of Law, Human Rights and International Affairs at Anderson University.
Dr. Daniels launched the Fellowship with Anthony Jones, former chair of the HBCU Committee of the College Board. Twenty-seven students from 13 institutions across the country and from Anderson University will participate.
“Our Ambassador Young Fellowship seeks to train a new generation in the unifying and timeless principles of America’s founding as expressed in the work of Dr. King,” Dr. Daniels said. “Approximately half of these students come from historically black colleges and universities, and the rest come from a wide array of other educational institutions from across the country.
“Dr. King’s unifying principles—rooted in the transcendent ideals of our nation’s founding—offer an educational antidote to the rising tide of division, conflict and violence in our world,” he said.
Dr. Daniels and Anderson University President Evans P. Whitaker two years ago met with Ambassador Young in a discussion about the ways in which Christian colleges in general—and AU in particular—can develop educational programs that aim to decrease societal division, political polarization and inter-personal violence.
“At this critical hour in our nation’s history when polarization is at an all-time high, it is a must that we focus our energies on salvaging some salvation for our future through the lives of dedicated young people to the unifying truths Dr. King espoused. I’m grateful for Ambassador Young’s continued support in this important endeavor,” said Anthony Jones, former chair of the College Board HBCU Conference.