Story by Shannon Worley
Photos by CJ Harris

Students, faculty and staff gathered in Hulston Hall on Nov. 2 to hear from author and advocate Dr. Jonathan Augustine, the first speaker of the year in the IDE Signature Lecture Series. Traveling from North Carolina, Augustine presented his lecture “Making the Case for Diversity: Higher Education, Political Participation, and the Future of Affirmative Action.”  

Augustine discussed ways to combat harmful systems and traditions. In one example he encouraged attendees to use leadership positions as a platform for change and take every opportunity to use personal influence to broaden their own scope and the scope of those around them.   

Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., Augustine said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” He added his personal note of encouragement, saying, “We’re not going to get there next week, but I do believe we are going to get there.”   

MU senior Zoe Korte was one of the individuals who attended the lecture and enjoyed learning how America can move forward from such a long, difficult history.  

“I think bringing in people from different places is really important,” Korte said. “Diverse perspectives really do cover all the bases.”   

Augustine concluded the evening with a Q&A and invited attendees to have their books signed.