University plans fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, Jan. 18-30
Virginia Tech has planned its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration for Jan. 18-30.
A number of events are scheduled to take place during the two-week celebration, all of which are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
The celebration begins Sunday, Jan. 18, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Christiansburg High School with the Annual NAACP Community Celebration honoring the life of King. For additional information contact Debra Travis at (540) 382-6751.
Elaine Carter, executive director of the Christiansburg Institute Inc. will be the guest speaker at the Martin Luther King community breakfast, Monday, Jan. 19, from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center. This event is free, but registration is required. Register online.
Andrew Young, civil rights activist, ambassador, and Distinguished Executive Fellow and Honorary Professor of Public Policy at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, is the keynote speaker Monday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in Burruss Hall Auditorium. Tickets for this event are free and can be acquired at the University Unions and Student Activities Ticket Office in Squires Student Center. Questions concerning this event should be directed to the Office for Equity and Inclusion at (540) 231-7500.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 12 to 5 p.m., the inauguration of the President of the United States will be televised in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center. Questions should be directed to the Office for Equity and Inclusion at (540) 231-7500.
The Renaissance Festival, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Haymarket Theatre in Squires Student Center. This event includes performances from individuals and various organizations. Questions should be directed to Michael Goode.
The week will conclude with the 12th Annual Diversity Summit, Friday, Jan. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center. The Diversity Summit, sponsored by the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity, the Student Government Association, and the Alliance for Concerned Students is free, but registration is recommended. For additional information contact Guy Sims, Taris Mullins, or call (540) 231-5431.
Various service projects, which involve activities that reflect King's interests and teaching, are also scheduled throughout the celebration. The first service activity, Daycare Facelift, is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships and VT-ENGAGE at Virginia Tech received a Martin Luther King Challenge Grant to provide facelifts for ten area daycares and preschools. Teams are being formed to carry out this task and compete for prizes that will be awarded based on a variety of categories for improvements made to the facilities. For additional information, e-mail Karen Gilbert.
The Power of Words service activity planned for Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at Information Booth A in Squires Student Center, will provide participants the opportunity to write letters to soldiers serving this country, children in foster care, or to seniors in nursing homes. For additional information contact Dawn Knight.
The Making a Difference for Children service activity is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Information Booth A in Squires Student Center. This activity will provide an opportunity to work on projects that have an impact on children in this area and throughout the world. For additional information contact Dawn Knight.
Participants can learn how we can serve the environment through our collective efforts during the last service activity, Giving Back to Create a Sustainable Community, which will take place Friday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Information Booth B in Squires Student Center. For additional information contact Dawn Knight.
As part of the Martin Luther King celebration, Virginia Tech and the Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County Chapter of the NAACP sponsor a poster and essay contest for elementary, middle, and high school students in various counties in the area.
The celebration is also being held in conjunction with the university's celebration of Black History Month.
The Martin Luther King celebration at Virginia Tech is coordinated by the Office for Equity and Inclusion, the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the University Martin Luther King Committee. It is supported by several campus and community organizations including the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships, Division of Student Affairs, Multicultural Programs and Services, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, University Development, and the Montgomery County-Radford City-Floyd County Chapter of the NAACP.
