24th Annual  Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration 2009. Penn State Home Page.

Arrow. 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Committee application-[PDF]

Welcome to the 24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Web site sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity.

24th Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Banner outside Osmond Lab, Univeristy Park.

Commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

On November 2, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan signed into law House of Representatives Bill Number 3706 declaring January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday.

In December 1985, former Penn State President Bryce Jordan formed a President’s planning committee for Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition. Dr. James B. Stewart, director of the Black Studies Program at that time, served as the inaugural chair. The official recognition of this holiday began in 1986, and occurs on the third Monday in January each year.

Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929, the second of three children. Early in his life, Reverend King recognized the evils of segregation and racial prejudice. He was an outstanding student throughout his years in school and went on to receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree in June of 1951. In a speech given during the ceremonies at the White House when Reverend King’s birthday became a recognized national holiday, Mrs. King touched the heart of our nation as she summarized her husband’s life: “In his own life’s example, he symbolized what was right about America, what was noblest and best, what human beings have loved unconditionally. He was in constant pursuit of truth, and when he discovered it, he embraced it. His nonviolent campaigns brought about redemption, reconciliation and justice. He taught us that only peaceful means can bring about peaceful ends, and that our goal was to create the love community.”America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation because Martin Luther King, Jr. became her preeminent nonviolent commander.

Contact Information:
Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity
Marcus Whitehurst, Ph.D.,Chair
Assistant Vice Provost for Educational Equity
314 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 865-5906, Fax: (814) 865-3997

Statements of nondiscrimination and alternative media.

Copyright 2008 OVPEE
Web page last modified February 23, 2009

One Day Is Today.
24th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Poster Design by Kaleena Porter.

Enlarged view of poster art.

Arun Gandhi.
Keynote Address by Arun Gandhi, Jan 21

Links of Interest

Arrow. Arun Gandhi Speech, Jan.21,2009
  Quick Time.Quick Time MOV
  Windows Media Player.Windows Media WMV
Arrow. MLK Visits Penn State in 1965
  Quick Time.Quick Time MOV - [ 6 min. ]
  Windows Media Player.Windows Media WMV - [ 6 min. ]
Arrow. Make A Career Of Humanity Theme
Arrow. MLK Archive
Arrow. MLK - A Nation Remembers