Lyon College joined the Batesville and Independence County communities in welcoming the Arkansas Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission to the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 12 at First Community Bank.

DuShun Scarbrough, executive director of the commission, said officially joining the Batesville community was a “humbling moment.”

“The work of the MLK Commission continues year round, honoring the life and values of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Scarbrough said. “We strive to promote understanding and acceptance of nonviolence and human equality as a way of building community among all Arkansans.”

He said the Commission’s partnership with Batesville is “a new beginning” and thanked everyone who attended for showing their support.

Interim President Melissa Taverner welcomed the Commission to the Chamber on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of Lyon College. She said it is exciting to know that the MLK Commission will be an active partner in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in Batesville and Independence County.

The Commission’s goals speak to a fundamental priority of Lyon College, she said, to create an inclusive, welcoming and supportive campus that values all persons and creates an environment in which people learn together and from each other, developing into the thoughtful engaged citizens that the nation needs.

“But a college campus is not an island, divorced from the surrounding community and operating in a vacuum,” Taverner said. “Instead, it is a reflection of the people in the region who live and work together toward the common goal of preparing young people for our shared future.”

She concluded, “I am honored that we will be able to continue working together as we move forward making diversity a priority for the community… thank you for including Lyon College in this special occasion.”