University Park, Pa. -- Stressing the continuing need to carry on the work of Martin Luther King Jr., "His Hope, Our Responsibility" serves as the theme for Penn State's 2007 Martin Luther King commemoration at University Park.
The events of celebration and remembrance, which began Monday, Jan. 15, and last through the end of the month, will be highlighted by a keynote address from Carlotta Walls LaNier at the Martin Luther King Celebration, which kicks off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Eisenhower Auditorium.
In 1957, at age 14, LaNier was the youngest of what would become known as "The Little Rock Nine," who were integrated into Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Cited as an act of courage and defiance, the actions of the students were seen as a significant catalyst for change in the American educational system.
The theme for the University Park commemoration is represented in a design by Leah Budin, a senior graphic design major at Penn State from Trucksville, Pa. Proposed designs for the commemoration came from students taking Art 470: Time and Sequence with Lanny Sommese, professor of art. All of the proposed designs will be on display in Pattee Library during the week of commemoration.
"I was sparked by the word 'hope,'" Budin says. "An excellent symbol of hope seemed to be a rainbow, which comes out after the storm to signal the emergence of the sun. As an added bonus, the rainbow also has all colors in beautiful harmony, which reflects Martin Luther King's dream of all skin colors coexisting peacefully. However, the rainbow isn't complete: we still have a responsibility to complete Martin Luther King Jr's vision. I hope people will see the beauty of King's vision and want to help achieve it together."
The theme for the 2007 celebration -- chosen because so many of King's ideas, words and dreams were rooted in hope -- was selected by Emily Quinn and Max Staplin, MLK Day of Service of co-directors, and the campus/community planning committee led by the Office of Educational Equity.
The commemoration will include a day of service that will encourage people to volunteer with local nonprofit agencies on Saturday, Jan. 20. For more details on the day of service, contact Staplin at mas779@psu.edu or Quinn at edq100@psu.edu via e-mail.
The federally observed Martin Luther King Day is Monday, Jan. 15, and for the second consecutive year, no classes will be held at Penn State on that day. A march and peace service will be held on Jan. 15 beginning at 2 p.m. at the Allen Street Gates and concluding at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
On Martin Luther King Day, Penn State's Forum on Black Affairs will host the 32nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet, with doors opening at 6 p.m. in President's Hall of The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The event will be highlighted by keynote speaker Thaddeus Kirkland, state representative and chair of the Pennsylvania Black Caucus. The banquet will also feature a performance by Essence of Joy and the presentation of the 2007 Humanitarian Service Award. Contact Beverly Wilson at bgw4@psu.edu or Alan Payne at tap1@psu.edu for additional information.
For more information, visit http://www.mlk.psu.edu and consult the schedule of commemoration events below.
Jan. 15-19
-- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: "The Human Race Machine," including the opportunity for skin-color assessment and computer-generated morphing of a photograph of the participant's facial features at Galbraith Lounge in the HUB-Robeson Center. Sponsored by the Eberly College of Science and the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity.
Jan. 15
-- 2-5 p.m.: March and peace service. March begins at the Allen Street Gates and concludes at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center;
-- 6 p.m.: Forum on Black Affairs Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet. Keynote speaker Thaddeus Kirlkland. Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, tickets required. Contact Beverly Wilson at bgw4@psu.edu or Alan Payne at tap1@psu.edu for more information.
Jan. 16
-- 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: The Center for Student Engagement's Involvement Fair. Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center.
Jan. 17
-- 11:30 a.m.: Penn State Forum. Speaker: Pedro A. Cortes, Ballroom, The Nittany Lion Inn. Tickets may be purchased at the Faculty Staff Club Office (the ID+ Office), 103 HUB-Robeson Center (865-7590).
-- Noon: Perspective Mic Forum, hosted by the Social Awareness Committee, HUB-Robeson Center.
-- 7 p.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Keynote Speaker: Carlotta Walls Lanier, Eisenhower Auditorium.
Jan. 18
-- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: MLK American Red Cross Blood Drive, Alumni Hall,
HUB-Robeson Center.
Jan. 20
-- 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Penn State's Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Contacts: Day of Service Co-directors Max Staplin ( mas779@psu.edu ) and Emily Quinn ( edq100@psu.edu ).
-- 5:30 p.m.: Social Justice Dinner. Program begins at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Co-sponsored by the Day of Service Committee, The Center for Student Engagement and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center Contact: Max Staplin ( mas779@psu.edu ) or Emily Quinn ( edq100@psu.edu ).
Jan. 23
-- 7-9 p.m.: Teach for America panel, HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.
Jan. 24 and 31
-- Noon: Perspective Mic Open Forum, hosted by the Social Awareness Committee, HUB-Robeson Center.
Jan. 29
-- 8 p.m.: Distinguished Speaker Series: Levar Burton, Eisenhower Auditorium, tickets required.
Jan. 29-Feb. 2
-- Tunnel of Oppression: Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 6-8 p.m. ; Wednesday to Friday noon-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.; coordinated by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center.