VOL. 23, NO. 12	JANUARY 23, 1998

Chaplain Davis with President Rupp at the Apollo Theater. Record Photo by Amy Callahan.

ith glorious gospel choirs and heartfelt readings of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Apollo Theater on Sunday night produced its annual tribute to the slain civil rights leader. Approximately 150 Columbians, including students, professors, President George Rupp, Provost Jonathan R. Cole, Vice President for Health Sciences Herbert Pardes and Vice President for Public Affairs Alan J. Stone , joined the Harlem community at the historic theater on 125th Street in celebrating the holiday. Representing Columbia on the program was University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis, who delivered the "prayer of commemoration."

  The hundreds in the audience bowed their heads as Davis said from the podium: "We give thanks this evening that Dr. King was a prophet of vision that saw the possible. He saw that a just, peaceful, equitable integrated society of equal access, affirmative opportunity, fair evaluation and distributed wealth was possible. Dr. King envisioned that children could dream to go where their talents would lead them. A man of insight and foresight, Dr. King prophesied that women and men could be judged by the content of their character and not stereotyped and denied because of the color of their skin. We give thanks for this warrior of faith, this lover of justice, this prophet of vision, this builder of communities and keeper of hope."

  At times the tribute to King was made in song, with dynamic performances by The Grace McCollum Youth Ensemble and the Grace Baptist Church Chorale. Other times, ministers took the stage to read from King's work, or to deliver sermons of their own.

  The commemorative message was delivered by Rev. William A. Jones, Jr., senior pastor since 1962 of Brooklyn's Bethany Baptist Church and a renowned leader among New York City's preachers.

  Jones pointed out that on King's birthday, so many people ask, what happened to his dream? "But what we should ask," Jones said, "is what happened to us?" He urged everyone to remember King's lessons of morality.

  "We salute him tonight," Jones said, "and we ought to do it every day of our lives.

  On Monday, Jan. 19, Chaplain Davis also participated in The Baptist Ministers Conference Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church, W. 145th St. and Convent Avenue in Harlem.

  Davis represented Columbia on the dais, among a group of prominent religious and political leaders, including New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, New York City Comptroller Alan Hevesi, Speaker of the City Council Peter Vallone, and former Mayor David Dinkins.