mlk_identity-300Since 2005, Elizabethtown College has honored Martin Luther King Jr. with a celebration honoring his life and legacy. This year the celebration continues for a full academic week, from Jan. 20-25. The weeklong acknowledgement comprises a themed conference, “Remember! Educate! Transform! Create a Legacy of Diversity and Inclusion.”

Eighteen events have been planned for January 2014 by a committee composed of students and faculty and staff members.

“We have tried to develop these programs around some of the work we need to do around campus,” said Diane Elliott, director of diversity.

Remember! Educate! Transform! Create a Legacy of Diversity and Inclusion.”

The programs include discussions, a concert and commemorative march, as well as leadership training. Community service is always a part of the remembrance, too, with service opportunities for students the entire week. The celebration begins with a program kickoff in the Blue Bean Café at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, and a southern cuisine lunch served in the Marketplace.

Other events include “Six Voices Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. in Sixty Minutes,” a program held at 2 p.m. Jan. 20 in High Library—six members of the college community will have 10 minutes to read a quote about Martin Luther King Jr., provide the historical context for the quote and discuss King’s significance in contemporary America.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Gibble Auditorium there will be a Campus forum in which students can discuss the “campus climate” with College President Carl J. Strikwerda.  Two presentations—a spoken word performance and “Exploring Social Identities,” featuring the Dialogue Arts Project—for students only, highlight award-winning writers and diversity training.

“During this week, students will be able to engage is very rich discussions with presenters and have the opportunity to go a little deeper into some of issues of campus climate, social identities and how our identities shape who we are,” said Elliott. “I hope that it will create awareness among students. That it will create some understanding and open the door to think more positively about working with diverse students.”

Visit the program’s website for a full list of events and activities.