“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Martin Luther King
“The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr.”, p.124, Univ. of California Press
“With the theme, “Change Continues With Us,” Penn State’s 50th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
The banquet will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., and the program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center
What: Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Banquet
When: Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with program promptly beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Bryce Jordan Center, University Park Campus
Sponsored by the Forum on Black Affairs (FOBA)
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace March
Friday, January 17, 2025
Starting at 4:00 PM at the MLK Plaza downtown for a 15 minute presentation, then march to campus which will end with a evening program called, Rythms Of Change.
Please RSVP.
What: MLK, Jr. Peace March
When: 4:00 p.m.
Where: MLK, Jr. Plaza downtown State College, PA
Rhythms of Change, Commemorating Dr. King
Friday, January 17, 2025
Featured Guest: Sir Dominique, A Poetic Vanguard
Featured Speaker: Dr. Clarence Lang, Susan Welch Dean, College of Liberal Arts
What: Commemorating Dr. King
When: 5:45 p.m.
Where: HUB-Robeson Center, Heritage Hall
MLK Jr., On Campus Day of Service
Monday, January 20, 2025
What: Service-related events
When: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: HUB-Robeson Center, HUB Alumni Hall, Heritage Hall, and various locations in the HUB for in-house service events.
SELMA Watch & Discuss – Flex Theatre
Monday, January 20, 2025
This program will be led by Matt Siekman, Student Engagement Specialist in Student Leadership and Involvement.
Join us after the MLK Day of Service for a special screening of the powerful film Selma! Together, let’s continue honoring Dr. King’s legacy through reflection and dialogue. The screening will take place in Freeman Auditorium. As a reminder, no food or drinks are allowed in the theatre auditorium.
RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot—we’d love to see you.
What: Special screening of the powerful film Selma! Together, let’s continue honoring Dr. King’s legacy through reflection and dialogue.
When: 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: HUB Flex Theatre
Movie Overview:
The unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.
MLK Jr., Commemoration Evening Celebration with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Join us for an evening of conversation and community featuring esteemed guest speaker: Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum — Former President of Spelman College, psychologist, and author of Can We Talk About Race? and Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
Reception with light fare will be hosted starting at 6:00 p.m., and the doors will open for the conversation with our guests at 6:45 p.m. The event will end by 8:00 p.m.
No tickets necessary, but the doors will close once the event reaches capacity.
RSVP is encouraged to help us plan and order accordingly for the reception.
Live Stream for those wishing to access the event:
https://www.youtube.com/live/LnOGHQN6B7Q
What: Evening Celebration
When: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: HUB-Robeson Center, Freeman Auditorium 288 Pollock Road, University Park, PA
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Jr., Poetry and Prose
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Poetry, Prose & Performance MLK Tribute
Change Continues With Us the music, movement and more with students, staff and community members. Featured performances include Dr. Wilson Okello, Carmin Wong, and the winners of the Alpha Phi Alpha Oratorical Competition.
What: Poetry and Prose
When: 6:00 p,m.
Where: HUB 008
MLK, Jr. Choral Tribute
Friday, January 24, 2025
Modeled after a program first presented in 1990 by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will bring together vocal ensembles from Penn State and various Pennsylvania high school singing groups.
Performances will focus on choral and vocal music from African and African-American musical idioms that emphasize the legacy and influence of the late champion of civil and human rights. Elevation, a professional performing ensemble from Delaware, fuses traditional choral music with hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and spoken word.
The program will also feature Penn State ensemble Essence of Joy, Hatboro-Horsham High School Madrigals Choir and Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School Concert Choir. Tickets can be purchased at the Center of the Performing Arts at Penn State
What: MLK, Jr. Choral Tribute
When: 7:00 p,m.
Where: Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park Campus