Bishop Edwin C. Bass was the keynote for Colgate’s celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Edwin C. Bass ’71, who was the Jan. 26 keynote speaker for Colgate’s celebration of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., encouraged the audience to come together in pursuit of the America of which King dreamed.
“We are better together. Unity is the mortar that turns a pile of bricks into an impenetrable wall,” Bass explained. “Unity is essential for any successful endeavor, and some critical changes in our nation can only be realized through unity.”
He asked the audience to come together to transform both Colgate and the world at large into more welcoming and inclusive spaces. “Everyone can make a positive contribution in the ongoing struggle for justice, equity, and the creation of a more perfect union,” said Bass. “And no matter how massive a project is, there are still tasks that can only be completed by a single man with a shovel.”
The keynote was part of seven days of programming centering on the theme Stronger Together. An opening ceremony on Jan. 23 in Memorial Chapel featured speeches from Kwabena Owusu Ansah ’24 and Associate Professor of Writing and Rhetoric Kermit Campbell as well as lyrical performances by Ta’Von Amir Walker ’25 and Professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures John Crespi. In addition, there were performances by the Resolutions a cappella group and the Sipsam and Wolfpack dance troupes.
In the days following the opening ceremony, a variety of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events further explored King’s legacy and the ways that communities can join together in the continuing struggle for diversity and inclusivity.
Colgate community members engaged in a dialogue around campus resources, including Haven, the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives, Shaw Wellness Institute, and Student Health Services. This program, Stronger Together Through Collective Wellness, explored the definition of “wellness” generally and in underserved communities, where wellness is often secondary to more immediate issues such as wage and health disparities. Through these discussions, community members brainstormed ways that the wellness of all students can be better protected within the Colgate community.
During another event — “Designing Your Own Leadership” — student leaders worked with personal and leadership development coach Rodney Agnant ’14, director for inclusion and belonging, to uncover their unique styles of leadership.
The week ended with a daylong virtual social justice summit between representatives from Colgate and its fellow New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium members; a Sunday service focused on the idea of the beloved community that King strived for; a Unity Dinner; and an afternoon of service, coordinated by the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education. Volunteer work took place at a variety of local nonprofits addressing food insecurity, community history, access to the arts, and other social issues.
Edwin C. Bass ’71 participated in the 1968 sit-in at Colgate that resulted in vital changes on campus, including the creation of the cultural center, now known as ALANA. After graduating, Bass’ commitment to establishing community continued in Ferguson, Mo., where he brought residents together following the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown. As a result of his active role in the midst of such tragedy, Bass, founder of The Empowered Church in St. Louis, Mo., was later asked to speak at Brown’s funeral.