MLK Campus-Wide Celebration
Every January, the Ithaca College community celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr through a series of programs sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement & Multicultural Affairs. Back in 2008, when the first day of classes fell on the national holiday, President Emerita Peggy Williams declared the first day of classes as a "Day on, not Off." The day is celebrated as a day of reflection and celebration with programs and activities in lieu of classroom instruction. President Thomas Rochon continues in this tradition, encouraging all to come together in honor or Dr. King's impact on the world. During years where the holiday falls before the first day of classes, the campus community spends the first week of classes in celebration with various events and programs, as well as discussions.
Students, staff, faculty, and community members honor Dr. King's work by coming together to discuss the relevance of his work today, by engaging themselves in guest speakers and campus presentations, and by doing community service in the greater Ithaca Community. Past activities have included Stations of Progress, a speed-conversation event that allows the community to discuss current issues of social justice, a concert sponsored by the School of Music, and guest speakers such as Hip-Hop legend and activist MC Lyte. Also, the first year scholars of the MLK Scholar program present a reflection on their Civil Rights Tour to the entire campus community.
MLK Week 2012:
A New Definition of Greatness
January 23-28, 2012
Join the Ithaca College community as we celebrate the life, legacy, and relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his message in our week of events!
“If you want to be great – wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness…it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., from the “Drum Major Instinct" sermon, given on February 4, 1968
Monday, January 23
4:00pm: Kickoff Event, featuring the first-year MLK Scholars[Emerson Suites]
8:15pm: Music School Performance [Ford Hall]
Tuesday, January 24
11:00am-2:00pm: Ithaca Community Expo [Emerson Suites]
12:00-1:00pm: Educational Sessions during the common hour
[Clark Lounge] Tariq Meyers presents A New Definition of Freedom: Civic Engagement and the 1961 Freedom Ride
[Klingenstein Lounge] Patrick Walsh presents A New Definition of Greatness for Men
[Ithaca Falls Room] Samantha Lowe presents Non-violent Resistance in Israeli Palestinian Conflict
Wednesday, January 25
7:00pm: MLK Week Keynote Address by Mayor Svante Myrick [Hoerner Theater, Dillingham]
Thursday, January 26
12:00-1:00pm: A conversation with Mayor Svante Myrick [Textor 102]
7:00pm: A workshop with the Diversity Peer Educators [Taughannock Falls Room]
Friday, January 27
7:00-10:00pm: "The Help" Film Screening and Discussion [Emerson Suites]
Saturday, January 28
9:00am-4:00pm: MLK Day of Service - apply for this opportunity today
7:00-9:00pm: Type or Tweet event [IC Square]
9:00pm: Brownskin Concert! [Emerson Suites]
For more information, please contact any member of the IC MLK Celebration Committee:
John W. Rawlins, III, Doreen Hettich-Atkins, Jen Walsh, Sarah Schupp, Don Austin
Sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement and Multicultural Affairs
Individuals with disabilities requiring accomodations should contact OSEMA at 607-274-3222. We ask that requests be made as soon as possible.
