MSU Students Celebrate MLK Jr. Day of Service

In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Murray State is hosting several events Janurary 14–15, including the annual MLK Jr. Day of Service, with the overarching theme of “Living the Dream: Embracing Inclusive Excellence.”
 
“This event exemplifies one of the key components of our Community Pledge and that is, ‘creating an atmosphere of positive engagement,’” said SG Carthell, senior director of diversity initiatives at Murray State. “My hope is that we will see an outpouring of support for Dr. King’s legacy and his principles of service to our communities.”
 
A candlelight march and vigil will take place Sunday, Jan. 14. All who wish to attend are encouraged to line up for the march at 5:30 pm outside Pogue Library. The march will begin at 5:45 pm with those in attendance making their way to Elizabeth College and the MLK Jr. monument at that time. The evening will also include reflections and a reading of Luther’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
 
Then, on January 15, the MLK Jr. Day of Service Community Project will begin with an item collection for the campus/community-wide Bring Back Initiative. Students are encouraged to consider bringing back items for donation upon returning from winter break. All donated items will support local service agencies.
 
Collection for the Bring Back Initiative takes place from 8 to 10:15 am in the Curris Center’s Banquet Room 1. Items collected from the community project will then be sorted from 10:15 am to noon before being delivered to local nonprofit organizations.
 
In addition to the community project, the Community Breakfast & Keynote will begin at 8:30 am in the banquet room. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP using the university calendar or via email by January 11. The breakfast will feature a keynote presentation from Rev. Donna Hawkins, ’77, ’79, pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Paducah and graduate of Murray State.
 
For more information about events and activities during the 2018 MLK Jr. Day of Service or to RSVP for the Community Breakfast & Keynote, please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 270-809-6836 or msu.oma@murraystate.edu.