MLK week events feature Roland Martin and Patch Adams

One man is an award-winning journalist who often talks politics on CNN.

The other is a physician whose story was the basis of a major motion picture.

Roland Martin and Dr. Patch Adams may lead contrasting lives, but both men will visit UM-Dearborn this week in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin and Adams are keynote speakers during the University’s weeklong tribute to MLK, a tradition started 19 years ago at UM-Dearborn.

Martin will discuss “Race/Racism, and the Continual Challenge for Blacks and Whites to Acknowledge and Accept its Impact on Our Lives” at 2 p.m. Jan. 18. His speech is part of “A Conversation on Race: Voices of a New Generation,” the University’s ongoing series designed to promote open and honest discussion about racial issues.

Meanwhile, the focus of the 1998 film “Patch Adams” will be on campus Jan. 19 and 20. Adams plans to discuss “Medicine for Fun, not Funds” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19. On Jan. 20, Adams will discuss “Living a Life of Joy” at 10:30 a.m.

All presentations are free, open to the public and in the University Center’s Kochoff Hall.

Here is a complete list of MLK events:

Jan. 17

-       Noon Day Observance, Kochoff Hall A, University Center

-       5 p.m. – The Learning Channel’s “All-American Muslim” Discussion, Kochoff Hall C, University Center

-       6:30 p.m. – Staging Hope, University Center stage

Jan. 18

-       2 p.m. – Conversation on Race with special guest Roland Martin, Kochoff Hall, University Center

-       7 p.m. – Leadership Lens Film: “Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed,” Room 1225, University Center

Jan. 19

-       6:30 p.m. – “Medicine for Fun, not Funds,” with Dr. Patch Adams, Kochoff Hall, University Center

Jan. 20

-       10:30 a.m. “Living a Life of Joy,” with Dr. Patch Adams, Kochoff Hall, University Center

-       Noon – SOLID Lite Student Leadership Conference, Fairlane Center North

Jan. 23

-       10 a.m. – Volunteer Fair, Kochoff Hall