UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Events and activities honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held over the next few weeks at several Penn State campuses. The theme for 2025 is "Change Continues With Us."
Penn State University Park
“Change Continues With Us,” Penn State’s 50th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Banquet — Wednesday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m., Bryce Jordan Center. 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 website. Sponsored by the Forum on Black Affairs (FOBA).
MLK Jr. lunch co-sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers and the College of Engineering —Thursday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., E-Knowledge Commons in 101 Reber Building.
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace March — Friday, Jan. 17, 4 p.m., MLK Plaza, downtown State College. Starting at 4 p.m. at the MLK Plaza downtown with a 15- minute presentation, then walking to campus and ending with an evening program called, “Rhythms Of Change.” RSVP for the Peace March.
MLK Jr., On-Campus Day of Service — Monday, Jan. 20, various locations on campus. In-house service-related events will be held 8 a.m.-noon, in various locations, including HUB-Robeson Center, HUB Alumni Hall, Heritage Hall and other locations in the HUB for in-house service events.
“SELMA” film watch and discussion — Monday, Jan. 20, noon-3 p.m., Flex Theate, Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center. Join us after the MLK Day of Service for a special screening of the powerful film “Selma," and a program led by Matt Siekman, student engagement specialist in student leadership and involvement. "Selma" 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 then-President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. The screening will take place in Freeman Auditorium. As a reminder, no food or drinks are allowed in the theater auditorium. RSVP to secure a spot for the film watch and discussion.
MLK Jr. Commemoration Evening Celebration with Sherrilyn Ifil and Beverly Daniel Tatum — Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6-8 p.m., Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center, Pollock Road. Join us for an evening of conversation and community featuring esteemed guest speakers Sherrilyn Ifill, civil rights lawyer, former president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; and 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 p.m., and the doors will open for the conversation with our guests at 6:45 p.m. No tickets necessary, but the doors will close once the event reaches capacity. RSVP for the MLK Jr. Commemoration Evening Celebration to help us plan and order accordingly for the reception.
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Poetry and Prose — Wednesday, Jan. 22, 6 p.m., 008 HUB-Robeson Center. A poetry, prose and performance MLK Tribute, “Change Continues With Us” features music, movement and more with students, staff and community members. Featured performances include Wilson Okello, Carmin Wong, and the winners of the Alpha Phi Alpha Oratorical Competition.
“A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” — Friday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium. Modeled after a program first presented in 1990 by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the event 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 website.
Penn State Berks
Celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — Tuesday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m., Multipurpose Room, Perkins Student Center. Join us for an uplifting evening featuring a keynote address, student performances, awards recognition and a delicious meal. Enjoy a keynote titled "We Cannot Walk Alone: Bridging Divides, Building Community" by Darryl Mace, vice president for mission, diversity and inclusion at Alvernia University and co-founder of Unstuck Insights LLC, a company focused on executive coaching, strategic planning and organizational culture. RSVP to attend the celebration of life and legacy at Penn State Berks by Jan. 15.
MLK Day of Service — Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m.–noon, meet at Alumni Pavilion. The Penn State Berks Sustainability Council is hosting this event for members of the campus community. The focus will be on learning about and removing invasive plants from campus. Participants will also learn about the connection between Martin Luther King Day and service. Pizza and hot beverages will be served.
Penn State Dickinson Law
Collaborating on Journey Toward Justice: MLK Day and Social Justice Week Community Dinner & Dialogue — Monday, Jan. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Allison Community Room, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Penn State Great Valley
“Bayard Rustin’s Local Roots” — Tuesday, Jan. 28, noon–1 p.m., Penn State Great Valley Main Building, Room 131. Penn State Great Valley’s Diversity Action Council will host guest speaker Anne Skillman from the Chester County History Center, who will present about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s close adviser, Bayard Rustin. Rustin, born in West Chester in 1912, was a political activist and a prominent leader in the social movements for civil rights, nonviolence and gay rights. He was the principal organizer of the 1963 “March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.” Lunch will be served. RSVPs are requested.
We also invite you to visit exhibits about Rustin, on loan from the Chester County History Center, which will be placed in the Main Building later in the week.
Penn State Harrisburg
Exhibit: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." — January-February, third floor Madlyn L. Hanes Library. An exhibition installed outside the Hanes Library’s Archives and Special Collections features examples of Penn State Harrisburg student-designed MLK posters from the annual campus contest.
“I Have a Dream” High School Basketball Classic — Monday, Jan. 20, 3 p.m., Capital Union Building, Gym. Penn State Harrisburg will host its inaugural MLK Day basketball classic. This tournament will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through community, competition and inspiration. The event will feature four local high school teams: 3 p.m., girls game tip off, Central Dauphin East High School vs. Northeastern High School; and 5 p.m. boys game tip off, Gettysburg High School vs. Middletown High School. Admission is free. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to local food banks.
Play: “Call of the Crusades” — Saturday, Jan. 25, 2-3:30 p.m., Student Enrichment Center, Mukund Kulkarni Theatre. This original play, written by award-winning playwright Sharia Benn with contributions from the cast of students, brings to life the story of nine Penn State Harrisburg students who stumble upon a hidden MLK Memorial. Their journey uncovers the history of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 12 crusades and connects the Civil Rights Movement's past to today’s challenges, fostering self-discovery and unity among the students. Register here for "Call of the Crusades." This is a free event.
Penn State Lehigh Valley
A morning of Service at the 6th Street Shelter in Allentown — Monday, Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Sixth Street Shelter. Assist with cleaning and organizing in certain areas of the shelter. Students should check their email for sign up details or contact Pam Fleck at [email protected].
In Line with the Gallery Exhibit “Liberty and Justice for All” with Artist Christina Galbiati — Tuesday, Jan. 21, 12:15 p.m.–12:45 p.m., Ronald K. De Long Gallery. Artist Christina Galbiati will present a campus community talk in the Gallery from 12:15-1:15 p.m. with a workshop following in Centre Hall until 3 p.m. Galbiati will prepare a base foundation of MLK images and campus community members will be asked to add words from King’s famous speeches to the collage. For more information, contact Ann Lalik, gallery airector, at [email protected].
Key Arts productions presents “King’s Dream” — Wednesday, Jan. 22, 12:15 p.m., Room 135. This is a multimedia live performance and presentation which offers a rousing tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
A Tribute to MLK Jr: On campus service project — Thursday, Jan. 23, noon, Second Floor Student Lounge. This service project benefits Safe Harbor of Easton, a local agency for individuals experiencing housing insecurity.
Penn State Shenango
MLK Day of Service — Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1-3 p.m., Mercer County Food Bank. Penn State Shenango Student Affairs is hosting its annual MLK Day of Service and is calling for volunteers to help sort and prepare items at the Mercer County Food Bank. Interested students should register in the Student Affairs office and transportation to and from campus will be provided.