Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

Monday, March 7, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Sorenson Theater

featuring keynote speaker
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Founder and Managing Director, Grameen Bank, Dhaka, Bangladesh
(biography, UN Recognition)

Dr. Yunus is founder and managing director of Grameen Bank. The bank originated the concept of banking without collateral, allowing the poorest of the poor to obtain loans for self-employment. The bank currently operates 1,326 branches and provides credit to four million poor people residing in 47,836 villages in Bangladesh. Dr. Yunus was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study Economics in the U.S., is a recipient of numerous international awards, honorary doctorate degrees from over 20 universities worldwide, and has been appointed as an International Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations. Dr. Yunus serves on the boards of many national and international organizations, and has created a number of additional companies to address diverse issues of poverty and development.

Come together to reflect on the work and teachings of Dr. King, and the efforts that continue in his name and beliefs today. Be a part of this celebration in the following ways:

1.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award Nomination Process

This award honors members of the Babson community (students, groups, organizations, faculty, or staff) who reflect Dr. King’s principles and ideals in philosophy and action. The recipient(s) of this award will have gone above and beyond the requirements of job responsibilities, organizational mission, or charter, and will have raised the bar for those that follow in their footsteps. The recipient’s actions and behaviors in working either on- or off-campus for the betterment of community should be in a manner consistent with the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Written nominations should explicitly address how the nominee(s) has visibly demonstrated:

1. Courage and conviction in valuing differences
2. Commitment to “seeing beyond borders” by building inclusion 
3. Acceptance of challenge and risk in achieving goals for the greater good
4. Compassion for humanity

Nomination Format and Submission Details
All nominations must be typewritten. To be noted for full consideration, all submissions must include:

1. the nominee’s name 
2. the submitter’s name and contact information 
3. a paragraph detailing the nominee’s contributions, not to exceed 250 words

Completed nominations should be submitted in person or via campus mail to Office of Student Affairs, Hollister Hall, Suite 201, or via email to SA2Gen@babson.edu. For further information regarding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, please contact Toni Blackwell at x4218.

Deadline for nominations: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

The Second Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Day
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

2.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay and Speech Contest Details

All current undergraduate and MBA students are invited to write an essay based on one of several topics. A panel of readers will select five finalists to advance to the speech phase of the competition. Essay finalists will be offered coaching by communications consultants to transform their written work into an effective speech. Speeches will then be delivered and judged by a panel of alumni and faculty. The first and second place winners will deliver their speeches at the Legacy Day celebration. First place will receive a $500 prize; second place will receive a $250 prize.

Essay/Speech Topics (please choose one):

1. In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, Martin Luther King, Jr. writes: “The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty.” In Banker to the Poor, Muhammad Yunus envisions a world where the word “poverty” is a reference to the past. How do these two leaders see poverty being eliminated, and are they persuasive?
2. In Banker to the Poor, Muhammad Yunus writes: “We must … recognize every single human being as a potential entrepreneur.” Do you agree or disagree with his claim, and why? 
3. In Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?, Martin Luther King, Jr. asks the question: “Are we more concerned with the size, power, and wealth of our society, or with creating a most just society?” How might Dr. King have reacted to Dr. Yunus’ concept of evaluating enterprises based on social returns as well as financial returns, as described in Banker to the Poor?

Essay Format, Resources, and Submission Details
Essays should be typed and double-spaced, and should not exceed 1,000 words. Essays must be original, unpublished work. The use of writings, published speeches, and biographical information about Drs. King and Yunus is encouraged. References must be cited. Horn Library has copies of the above referenced texts on reserve, and the Babson College Bookstore has copies of Dr. Yunus’ book for sale.

Five copies of your essay should be submitted in person or via campus mail to Student Financial Services, Hollister Hall, 3rd Floor.The following faculty and staff members are available to answer questions about the contest:

Serge Paul-Emile, Human Resources x5241
Professor Joseph Ricciardi, Economics x4530
Melissa Shaak, Student Financial Services x4398
Professor Sydel Sokuvitz, Management x4336

Deadline for submission: Friday, February 11, 2005