Laker Nation News

Lake Land College and the Rotary Club of Mattoon held a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 dedicating two new peace poles for Podesta Park and making history with the first reading of Lake Land’s Land Acknowledgment.

Acquired in collaboration with Mattoon Rotary, the peace poles serve as a symbol of worldwide unity, with the phrase, “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” currently inscribed in 19 languages across the two poles. The included languages represent those spoken by past and present international students as well as the indigenous tribes that first populated the region.

The dedication ceremony included addresses from Lake Land College President Josh Bullock and Rotary representatives Mike Martin, Rotary District Governor, and Noah A.J. Olson, Mattoon Rotary President. International student Tanatswa Mutamira, Zimbabwe, read an original poem during the event about her experiences. The event also featured the premiere of a video of the newly-installed peace poles in Podesta Park.

The event also included the inaugural reading of the Lake Land College Land Acknowledgment, recognizing the native tribes who first inhabited the region. Presented by Bullock as a presidential proclamation, the Land Acknowledgment demonstrates the College’s commitment to supporting local indigenous populations. The full Land Acknowledgment is available on the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/diversity/landacknowledgment.

“The Land Acknowledgment is a part of Lake Land’s commitment to creating an inclusive campus environment that celebrates diversity and values enrichment through awareness and education,” Bullock said. “For these reasons and more, we were thrilled when the Rotary Club of Mattoon approached the College with a proposal to install an International Peace Pole on campus.”

Rotary District Governor Mike Martin said the Peace Poles align with Rotary’s commitment to facilitating peace throughout the world.

“Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We create an environment of peace. We believe peace is central to everything we do. In considering a location for the Peace Pole project, Lake Land College was a natural fit to support and engage their learners who come from local communities, from communities around the country and from communities around the world,” Martin said. “We thank you everyone for the opportunity for Rotary to partner with Lake Land College and lend our support this very worthy and noble cause.”

Mattoon Rotary President Noah A. J. Olson said the idea for the Peace Poles originated with the Peace Builder Club.

“What began as a suggestion, turned into a singular project, turned into a Lake Land- Rotary Partnership, and finally into a grassroots group to make this happen: involving Lake Land students, retired/current Lake Land staff and indigenous peoples,” Olson said.

“Our hope for the future is for the Peace Pole area to be utilized by the community, campus visitors, Lake Land students and employees to find comfort, peace and enjoyment in the area,” he added.

To learn more about the Lake Land College Peace Pole project, Land Acknowledgement and other diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/diversity.

To learn more about Rotary, including the Rotary Youth Exchange, visit rotary.org/en.

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