Dedication Activities

MARCH 27 – JUNE 1

Exhibit: “When Barbara Jordan Talked, We Listened:” A Celebration

Presented by The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and The University of Texas Libraries

University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) Student Learning Commons, Perry Castañeda Library

From March 27 to June 1, 2009, selections from The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and The University of Texas Libraries at The University of Texas at Austin will feature an exhibit entitled “When Barbara Jordan Talked, We Listened: A Celebration.” The exhibition will be on display in the University Federal Credit Union Student Learning Commons, Perry-Castañeda Library.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16

6:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion: “When Barbara Jordan Talked, We Listened”

Presented by the Texas Politics Project, College of Liberal Arts and The University of Texas Libraries

University Federal Credit Union Student Learning Commons, Perry-Castañeda Library

Barbara Jordan was an outstanding orator, committed protector of the Constitution, lifelong politician, and great mentor to many. In this panel discussion, Max Sherman, former Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Susan Rieff, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and State Representative Senfronia Thompson of Houston will celebrate Barbara Jordan’s great gifts and the tremendous impact she had on individuals and communities. The panel will be moderated by Jim Henson, Director of the Texas Politics Project of the College of Liberal Arts. On May 1, a podcast of the panel discussion will be made available on the University Libraries' Web Site and at the Texas Politics Project.

MONDAY, APRIL 20

Theme: Building Coalitions

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Workshop/Open House: Coalitions on Campus

Presented by Multicultural Information Center and Gender and Sexuality Center
SSB 1.104, Multicultural Information Center, Student Services Building

During the first hour, the Multicultural Information Center (MIC) will hold an interactive workshop that will teach the benefits and strategies for building healthy coalitions. The audience will establish a better understanding of coalitions to prepare them to work for social change. From noon to 2 p.m., all campus community members are invited to attend a co-sponsored open house hosted by the MIC and the Gender and Sexuality Center.

11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Exhibition: Wisdom Through Education

Presented by Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Foyer, Jester Center

Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. will display a booth highlighting Barbara Jordon’s accomplishments and educational history. The exhibit will also help to raise awareness and support for the DREAM Act 2009 petition. There will be an opportunity to view and express individual “dreams.”

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Roundtable: Building Coalitions: How University Resource Groups Reflect Barbara Jordan’s Vision

Presented by the Asian/Asian American Faculty Staff Association, the Black Faculty and Staff Association, the Hispanic Faculty/Staff Association, and the Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association
McCombs School of Business, Special Events Room (CBA 3.304)

The University Resource Groups (URGs) at The University of Texas at Austin are comprised of the Asian/Asian American Faculty Staff Association, the Black Faculty and Staff Association, the Hispanic Faculty/Staff Association, and the Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Association. This roundtable discussion will bring constituents of the URGs together to highlight each organization’s mission and to find “commonality through shared differences to initiate change.” This event is open to everyone who wants to learn more about the URGs, how they work individually, how we work collaboratively and how this fuels the vision and legacy of Barbara Jordan.

Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Step Show: Step for Hope

Presented by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Iota Chapter
Gregory Plaza

Epsilon Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will present the Step for Hope program which is geared toward diversifying The University of Texas' student body through a step performance. Both Greek and non-Greek students from all backgrounds and races are invited to learn a unique step routine that will be presented to the entire student body.

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Exhibition: Passion, Vision, and Voice: Students Honoring the Life and Legacy of Barbara Jordan

Presented by the Office of the Dean of Students
SSB G1.310A, Glenn Maloney Room, Student Services Building

The mission of the Office of the Dean of Students is to provide opportunities and experiences that support student learning and personal development.  In keeping with this mission, the Office of the Dean of Students will host an exhibit of posters submitted by UT students and student groups that are centered on the themes of building coalitions, power of words, and social justice and civic engagement.

Poster exhibitors will share their inspiration and process of creating the poster along with discussing how the three themes have affected their lives. Guests will also be invited to participate in group discussions about how Barbara Jordan's work continues to impact the lives of students. Select posters will also be displayed at the Barbara Jordan Statue Unveiling Reception on Friday, April 24^th.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

Theme: The Power of Words

Noon - 2:00 p.m.

Lecture/Reception: “Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?”

Presented by the Public Affairs Alliance for Communities of Color (PAACC)
3.304, Quadrangle Room, Texas Union

The event’s title, “Who Then Will Speak for the Common Good?” is taken from Ms. Jordan’s 1976 Democratic Keynote Address and is the subject of the 2009 Barbara Jordan High School Essay Competition, a local competition for students enrolled at either Austin Independent School District or Del Valle Independent School District. This event will focus on the power of Barbara Jordan’s words and will showcase Jordan’s influence on past, present and future leaders.

The event will feature Max Sherman, former LBJ School of Public Affairs Dean and a close friend of the late Barbara Jordan, who will share his remarks on Ms. Jordan’s contributions to public policy. Essay competition finalists will be honored during an awards ceremony and will be invited to read their essay on their interpretation of Jordan’s meaning of the common good.  The event will conclude with a small reception and an opportunity to mingle with students and faculty.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Workshop: Finding Voice Creative Writing Workshop

Facilitator: Sharon Bridgforth

Presented by Gender and Sexuality Center, Women’s Resource Agency and Queer Students Alliance
Room 3.128, Sinclair Suite, Texas Union

Sharon Bridgforth developed a method of facilitating creative writing known as Finding Voice. With the Finding Voice method, Bridgforth will mentor and facilitate writers through a creative process, encouraging them to use the page as a canvas; to use identity-culture-memory-family histories-dreams to articulate and examine the socio-political realities of their lives in a form that is part poetry, part oral history, part performance art; to examine their creative process; to work in community as they use art as a vehicle for social justice.

Note: This workshop is limited to 20 participants who register on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested individuals should register by April 15^th by e-mailing gsc@uts.cc.utexas.edu.

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Workshop: A Celebration in Honor of Barbara Jordan

Presented by the Office of Residence Life, Division of Housing and Food Service and the Black Honors Student Association
Littlefield Patio Café

This event will feature various elements of artistic rhetoric to highlight the creative talents and ability that has been cultivated in and around UT due to trailblazers like Barbara Jordan. The program will allow people to not only experience the power of words through this art, but also to be impacted by the message that Barbara Jordan exemplified - words have the potential to inspire change.

Spoken word, prose, and a vocalist will celebrate the life and achievements of Barbara Jordan. Throughout the event, there will be information shared about Barbara Jordan’s life and accomplishments.

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Reception: SG Honors the Barbara Jordan Statue Project

Presented by Student Government
SSB G1.310A, Glenn Maloney Room, Student Services Building

Student Government (SG) will host a reception honoring the Barbara Jordan Statue Project.  Students, alumni, administrators, faculty, and others who had a role in bringing the first female statue to campus are also invited to attend.   During the reception, a guest speaker will discuss the significance of Barbara Jordan, her work, and the importance of the statue.  During the SG meeting, a resolution will be presented stating that the UT student body honors and recognizes Ms. Jordan and all the people involved in the effort to make this statue happen.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Theme: Social Justice and Community Engagement

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lecture/Panel: Progress: Education on Empowerment

Presented by Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. & Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.
Main 212

The event will educate the campus community on the importance of social justice, civic engagement and community involvement, specifically. The event will feature a guest speaker on the work of Barbara Jordan, the symbolic meaning behind the statue and the impact of progressive thinking. Faculty, staff and student panelists actively involved with social justice will also discuss their personal experiences with civic engagement and reasons why it should be an integral part of the UT campus.

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Debate: 3rd Annual SLPL Debate Competition

Presented by Student Leaders Pursuing Law
CAL 100

Student Leaders Pursuing Law (SLPL) will host a debate competition on current issues facing society today, such as civil rights issues and social justice issues. The purpose is to stimulate an intellectual debate among multi-cultural student leaders centered on diversity-related issues and issues prevalent in the African American community while enhancing the participant’s research and reasoning skills. The 1st place winner will receive a $500 prize.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Candlelight Vigil

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Candlelight Vigil: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Barbara Jordan

Presented by the Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee
Main Mall (UT Tower)

Invited vigil speakers will share their remarks and reflections on the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan and her role as an inspirational female civic and educational leader. The vigil will also serve as an opportunity to reflect on the social, racial and gender struggles that are still prevalent today and for which Ms. Jordan was an unwavering and committed advocate for social justice and change. Vigil attendees will be invited to share their thoughts during the open-remarks portion of the program.

Vigil Speakers and Participants:

Disability Services: A sign language interpreter will interpret the entire ceremony.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Statue Unveiling and Dedication

Noon. - 1:00 p.m.

Musical performances                begin  at 11:30 a.m.

Event: Unveiling and Dedication of the Barbara Jordan Statue

Presented by the Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee
The Battle Oaks, 24^th and Whitis Streets
(Rain site location: Hogg Memorial Auditorium)

Click here to view the unveiling ceremony program

The Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee at The University of Texas at Austin invites you to attend the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the Barbara Jordan Statue at The Battle Oaks. Over one thousand students, faculty, alumni and honored guests will be in attendance as we celebrate the great contributions Barbara Jordan gave to our university, our state of Texas, and our country. The Barbara Jordan statue will be the first female public figure honored on the University’s campus in its 125-year history. As the first African-American female from a southern state to serve in the U.S. Congress and a former professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Barbara Jordan embodies the values of public service and education for all to the University of Texas campus community.

Coverage on the UT Cable Channels 25, 32, 33 and 45 as well as via Web streaming will show live footage of the unveiling ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Program Speakers:

Program Participants:

Click here for information on program participants

Disability Services

Noon. -  1:00 p.m.

Indoor Viewing Location: Unveiling of the Barbara Jordan Statue

Texas Union Theatre

An indoor viewing location will be provided in the Texas Union Theatre and can accommodate up to 350 people. Live footage of the statue unveiling and dedication ceremony will be televised in the Union Theatre. Coverage on the UT Cable Channels 25, 32, 33 and 45 as well as via Web streaming will show live footage of the unveiling ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Click here to view the unveiling ceremony program

1:00 p.m. -  2:00 p.m.

Reception: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Barbara Jordan

Hosted by the Barbara Jordan Statue Project Committee
Texas Union Ballroom

The reception will honor the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan and will showcase Barbara Jordan photos, quotes, an exhibit provided by The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, a 45-minute video featuring “A Conversation with Lady Bird Johnson and Professor Barbara Jordan,” and art projects submitted by area schools on their interpretation of what Barbara Jordan means to them. Hors d’ouvres and light refreshments will be provided.