Vernon Jordan took the stage in Meharry Hall 58 years ago with anxiousness and excitement. As a freshman, he addressed an audience in a speech competition on the topic "The Negro in America." He knew the topic well.
The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. echoed in his head as he delivered his speech. Empowered by this inspiration and his desire to create change, Jordan won the contest.
Jordan returned to Meharry Hall Sunday night to deliver the first lecture in the 175th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series entitled "You Can Come Home Now: DePauw Past, Present and Future."
His voice resounded through the historic hall as he reflected upon his time at DePauw and his experiences as a civil rights activist. Jordan told the story of his arrival at DePauw and how his father initially told him, "You can't come home."
Jordan said his father acknowledged that he would be the only black student in his class and one of six attending DePauw, but that should not prevent him from perservering and completing his bachelor's degree at the university.
"Every black student who came to DePauw heard some version of my father's message," Jordan said.
Student body president senior Charles Pierre introduced Jordan — his personal hero. After handing the microphone off to Jordan, Pierre sat in the front row with his mother, who came to visit for the occasion, and President Brian Casey.
"I met him three months ago and now getting to introduce him tonight, it has been just amazing," Pierre said.
Jordan said he hoped to serve DePauw and Pierre well as a hero figure.
"I think that's in the DePauw tradition, and that's the way it ought to be, and I'm glad to be a part of it," Jordan said.
Vice President of Advancement Marcia Latta said she was very happy with the lecture and with the turn out to the event.
"We wanted a big name alumnus to come and kick this celebration off well, and it couldn't get any better than Vernon Jordan," Latta said.
Jordan also narrated the Music of the 21st Century concert Sunday afternoon. One song was written to have one of Martin Luther King's speech read under it. Jordan spoke the words as the DePauw University Band and Orchestra played an accompaniment.
Casey invited a select group of guests to his home following the concert for dinner with Jordan leading up to his lecture.
As he stood at the podium Sunday night, Jordan smiled and looked out across the crowd gathered to see him in Meharry Hall. He recalled his days in college standing in the same spot.
"It brings me full circle to return to the same place where I stood," Jordan said.