Schmitt Scholars
Political cartoonist, Keith Knight, will give a presentation at Saint Xavier University on Thursday, March 17. The event will be held in McGuire Hall at 7:00pm. Knight’s presentation will consist of a slideshow featuring some of his cartoons that deal with issues such as police brutality and race relations. After the presentation, Knight will have a table for book signing.
The event was organized by ten SXU students who are a part of the Schmitt Scholars Program. The purpose of this program is to encourage student leaders by supporting their leadership efforts.
Schmitt Scholars receive merit-based scholarship and participate in programs that are designed to enhance their leadership abilities. Ivie Ehigie, SXU Senior Schmitt Scholar, said that the program provides participants with more than just financial benefits.
“The Schmitt scholarship is more than a financial blessing, it is an opportunity for students to develop the leadership skills that will successfully carry them through and beyond their academic careers. Schmitt Scholars are students eager to learn and constantly striving for improvement. We are dedicated to lead through example and service to our University and the global community as a whole,” Ehigie said.
The Schmitt Scholars Program is sponsored by the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. The foundation, which was established in 1941, is dedicated to education and promoting responsible leadership. The Schmitt Foundation sponsors programs like the Keith Knight presentation in Catholic-based universities including Saint Xavier University, Loyola University Chicago, University of Notre Dame, and Marquette University.
According to Denise DuVernay, assistant director of Corporate, Government and Foundation Relation, the SXU Schmitt Scholars coordinate some kind of event or program every year. Because of the Black Lives Matter movement and increasing anti-Muslim sentiment, the scholars decided that, for this year’s event, they would invite a speaker who focuses on social justice.
Knight’s cartoons focus heavily on issues of social justice, making him the perfect choice for the event that the Schmitt Scholars were planning to host. Knight’s comic strip (Th)ink deals with current political and social events that affect communities of color.
His award winning comic strip K Chronicles is semi-autobiographical and presents the perspective of an average African-American male. The K Chronicles won the Harvey Award for Best Syndicated Strip or Panel in 2007, and the Glyph Awards for Best Comic Strip for three years in a row.
Knight is also the creator of a daily cartoon called The Knight Life and a cartoon series called Life’s Little Victories that highlights small daily moments in life that should be celebrated.When asked if any specific skill was needed to work with people with disabilities, Timerson emphasized in having patience.
Knight has been creating cartoons for about twenty years. His work has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Salon.com, Ebony, ESPN the Magazine, L.A. Weekly, MAD Magazine, and the Funny Times. He is known for his satire, dark humor, and controversial reflections on race.
“Students who attend Mr. Knight’s presentation will have the opportunity to engage in constructive and civil discussion about a sensitive topic that many people rather avoid than talk about,” Ehigie said. After Knight finishes his presentation, he will participate in a question and answer session. Schmitt Scholars will have the opportunity to meet with Knight to interview and speak with him before the event.
Ehigie said that the Q&A session is what she is most looking forward to about the event. “I am looking forward to the Q&A session following the presentation. Asking questions, leads to the opportunity for understanding, growth, and reflection upon one’s personal beliefs, attitudes, and actions; as well those of others,” Ehigie said.
The event is open to the public and is free of charge. The Schmitt Scholars encourage members of the SXU community, as well as the general public, to attend the presentation. “Those in the community should attend Mr. Keith’s presentation because this is an issue that affects the ENTIRE community, not just Saint Xavier students.
It will take the community, the city as a whole, to change the negative atmosphere that is surrounding us,” Ehigie said. To learn more about the Schmitt Scholars email Denise DuVernay at duvernay@sxu.edu. To view Knights work visit kchronicles.com.
As a measure of full disclosure, The Xavierite’s Editor-in-Chief Brian Laughran is a member of the Schmitt Scholars.
Yasmeen Abdellatif
Senior News Editor
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