On Monday at 9:15 a.m., a crowd began forming around the West entrance of the Oakland Center to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the 20th annual Keeper of the Dream Celebration.

The KOD award is granted each year to students “who have contributed to interracial understanding and good will,” according to the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. This year’s recipients were international relations major Benjamin Eveslage, biology major Subha Hanif and graduate counselling student Tara Michener. Each won a $5,000 scholarship.

The celebration opened with a video of MLK’s “I Have a Dream Speech” read by various students, faculty and staff.

The KOD recipients believed it was an honor to be mentioned with Dr. King.

“His idea of compassion, justice and peace really speaks to me,” Hanif said.

Eveslage, OU Student Congress President, wanted to reflect on the honor before mentioning the award to anyone.

“When I found out I won this award, I was really humbled,” he said. “I just didn’t want to speak about it.  I just wanted to kind of hold it inside myself and see how I felt about it.”

In addition to honoring the many accomplishments these students have achieved, the KOD celebration welcomed rapper, author and activist Common as the keynote speaker.

Common opened his speech with a freestyle rap, mentioning things familiar to OU students such as University Drive, Hamlin Hall and the OC. He then spoke about his success and goal for “greatness,” along with the believing in yourself in order to achieve what you desire.

His speech highlighted three main themes: finding your patch, believing in your path and living it.

Common said it was important to listen to those in your life that you love, although they may not always understand why you’re following your calling. To him, believing in your path means you can’t “dim your light,” or stop believing in yourself.

Sarah Nagia, a freshman communication major, was the first in line on Monday morning.  She wanted to ensure she got a good seat to see Common speak.

She admires him because of his talent as a rapper, actor and speaker.

Tyra Wright also attended the ceremony.  She was looking forward to hearing Common’s speech and celebrating MLK Day with his message in mind.

“I think that regardless of the challenges we face, we have to have the courage to meet them,” she said.

Keeper of the Dream winners

BEN EVESLAGE

OUSC President Ben Eveslage promotes understanding across the globe.

As a freshman he became involved with the International Students and Scholars. He was the legislative affairs director of the International Allies student organization during the winter of his freshman year and aims to make the OUSC a welcoming environment. He also spent the last four weeks in Nigeria using art therapy to help orphans express themselves.

“If you don’t travel abroad and understand how other people view the world then your view isn’t wide enough,” he said.

SUBHA HANIF

Subha Hanif believes it is meaningless you pursue anything other than you passion. This belief has fueled Hanif to get where she is today.

Beginning in her freshman year, Hanif has been very active on campus and in the surrounding community. Most recently she began a monthly workshop for women in Hamtramck to come, without the influence of any other family member, to learn about health care opportunities available to them. “I only want to do things that I feel really passionate about,” Hanif said.

TARA MICHENER

Graduate student, author and entrepreneur, Tara Michener has made many contributions to community. She is a graduate assistant in the School of Education’s counselling office and a member of the Multicultural Affairs Committee.

She also founded the student organization “Students Against Bullying.”

“Sometimes when you are bullied, you can become a bully,” Michener said. “So just keeping that in mind, our approach is very open…”

Contact campus editor Sarah Hunton via e-mail at [email protected]