A series of events to commemorate the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place next week at Elon University, from a special College Coffee to a candlelight ceremony and a “Day of Service” in conjunction with Elon First Baptist Church. The theme of this year's events is “His Past. Your Future. One Dream.”
For more information on events on main campus, contact Leon Williams, director of the Multicultural Center, at (336) 278-7243 or lwilliams25@elon.edu. For questions regarding the School of Law forum on Jan. 14, call (336) 279-9275.
Tuesday, January 12 – MLK College Coffee Celebration
11:30 a.m. – Moseley Center (McKinnon)
College Coffee will feature a collection of King’s most memorable speeches, a book raffle, and thought-provoking discussion to commemorate the legacy of one of the world’s most inspiring human rights icons. This afternoon event is open to all campus and community members and signals the start of a midday celebration of King’s ideals.
Wednesday, January 13 – MLK Commemorative Program
12 p.m. – Whitley Auditorium
This program features invited guest speaker Lenora Billings-Harris, a diversity educator and certified speaking professional, in Whitley Auditorium. Throughout her talk, “Martin Luther King: Beyond the Vision,” Billings-Harris uses anecdotes, metaphors and audience participation to encourage audience members to make a sustainable difference in today’s increasingly multicultural world. In addition to the lecture, the program also recognizes the winner of the Martin Luther King Jr., Humanitarian Essay Contest and includes a performance by Elon’s Liturgical Dance Troop, Urgent Message.
Thursday, January 14 – Public Forum
6 p.m. – Koury Business Center, Room 101 (LaRose Digital Theatre)
The organization “Diversity Emerging Education Program,” or DEEP, under the leadership of Multicultural Center Assistant Direction Melissa Jordan and Student Program Coordinator Kelsey Glover, hosts a public forum discussing King’s message of peace and justice. The forum will address the question, “What would Dr. King have to say about the progress of Alamance County?” Forum panelists include a variety of Elon faculty, staff and community leaders.
Thursday, January 14 – School of Law Forum on civil rights law/Greensboro sit-ins
6 p.m. – Elon University School of Law, Law Library
Elon University School of Law, in association with the law school’s Black Law Students Association, Phi Alpha Delta chapter, and Public Interest Law Society, will host its second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. forum to explore legal aspects of the American civil rights movement, evaluating the impacts of the sit-ins and other forms of non-violent protest on civil rights law past and present.
The MLK program comes two weeks prior to the 50th anniversary of the historic Greensboro sit-ins.
RSVP by Jan. 12 to reserve a seat by emailing lawreservations@elon.edu or by calling 336-279-9275. Space is limited.
Sunday, January 17 – Candlelight Ceremony
6 p.m. – Academic Village Plaza
Chet Denlinger, Elon University’s Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life chaplaincy intern, and Elon First Baptist Church’s Pastor Keith McDaniel present a Candlelight Ceremony in honor of the life, service, and dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Gather on the Academic Village Plaza to illuminate the night with glowing candles, share memories of King’s legacy, pray for the community and nation, and celebrate his vision for the future. The Candlelight Ceremony is an outdoor assembly and testament to triumph over oppression. This event is open to students and the surrounding community.
Monday, January 18 – Beloved Community “Freedom Journey” (Community March)
9 a.m. – Academic Village Plaza
The Freedom Journey is a peaceful march to celebrate the growth and development of the nation and local community as well as to commemorate the many sacrifices made in the struggle to eradicate hate. The demonstration is a symbolic burial of prejudice and oppression. Elon’s Black Cultural Society leads the charge in conjunction with Elon’s Gospel Choir, which will accompany the marchers in song. The event is designed to strengthen relationships between the university and Town of Elon community members.
Monday, January 18 – Beloved Community “Day of Service” … Service Sites: Elon First Baptist Church and Kopper Top Life Learning Center
10:30 a.m. – Meet at Elon First Baptist Church
Elon University’s Kernodle Center for Service Learning, in conjunction with Elon First Baptist Church, will host “A Day of Service” to celebrate King’s life and legacy. The two service sites are Elon First Baptist Church and Kopper Top Life Learning Center. There will be a brief reflection discussion immediately following the service project before a complimentary lunch. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact serviceday@elon.edu or call 278-7249.