John W. McCormack School Dean's MLK Jr. Day Message

"Not everyone can be famous, but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service"

(Martin Luther King, Jr.)
“Greatness is determined by service”, said Martin Luther King Jr in just one of the late leader’s many quotes that continue to guide us and inspire us today! This MLK quote reminds us of why our nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the federal day of service in celebration of King’s legacy!
 
On Monday, January 17th, 2022, at McCormack and at UMass Boston, we will also mark King’s birthday as a National Day of Service, and do our bit to improve the communities that we live in.
 
Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, through our public service mission, our vocation at the McCormack School is also to serve others to facilitate our working together with communities to build a better future. 
 
In today’s global public health crisis and growing conflicts in our democracy, there is so much work for us to do. We are inspired by MLK and our legacy founder, John W McCormack whose public service as Speaker of the House continues to guide our School. McCormack dedicated his years as Speaker to legislation that expanded civil rights, access to public education and housing, and health care for the elderly. All are programs, projects, and initiatives that inform our core educational mission at the McCormack School today.
 
What’s more, in addition to a range of educational offerings in policy studies, public affairs, public administration, and public service; McCormack’s Institutes inform a special platform through which we carry out our service in justice to our immediate and around the world communities (see here).
 
For next Monday’s 26th commemoration of the anniversary of federal service day, in remembrance and honor of the legacy of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to McCormack’s leadership, faculty, students, staff, colleagues and friends – please join us in engaging meaningful community service this coming Monday, Jan 17th, 2022 - Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Rita "Kiki" Edozie (PhD)
Dean (interim) and Professor
University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston)