Arcadia University will celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of events on campus and in the community between Jan. 15 and Jan. 25, 2025. 

Dr. King’s “Fundamental Philosophy of Nonviolence” guides our theme for this year as we ask the question: is nonviolence relevant for today?

January 15: Celebrate Dr. King’s Birthday at the Welcome Back Bash

Great Room, 4-7 p.m.

To honor the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. there will be a special tabling event taking place at the Welcome Back Bash. Students can design handmade cards for elementary-aged students. The cards will be delivered to Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory. Students have the opportunity to sign the petition to recognize Lenape Nation as an official tribe in the State of Pennsylvania. Students may also drop off items to be donated to the Arcadia Pantry. 

January 15-25: Food Drive for Arcadia Pantry

Drop off nonperishable food items at donation boxes in Taylor Hall, Landman Library, Kuch Center, Commons, Castle Lobby, Oak Summit B Lobby, Boyer Hall, and home games for Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Swimming, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Ice Hockey. Perishable items may be dropped off directly at the pantry locations in Oak Summit Lobby and Knight Hall (across from the Career Center).

January 20:  Day of Service Volunteer Events

Various Locations, noon-2 p.m.

Cradles to Crayons Cardmaking: Students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to design cards for elementary-aged students. The cards will be delivered to Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory as part of their efforts to give away 10,000 backpacks to children in need. This event will take place in the Dining Hall, room 103.

Glam Up Glenside: Students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to partake in a community clean-up effort. The clean-up will take place outside of Oak Summit, between Royal Ave and Forsythe Ave. Check in at the Dining Hall room 103 to pick up gloves and trash bags, then stop back for a cup of hot cocoa.

January 21: Graduate Student Social

Commons Meeting Rooms, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join graduate students as they honor Dr. King with activities connected to the theme of nonviolence, civil service, and social justice. There will be interactive areas, including a student meet & greet, an opportunity to perform community service, and light refreshments. 

January 21: Paths to Peace,  Using Nonviolence for Building Bridges, Not Walls. 

The Chat, 3-4 p.m.

Join undergraduate students as they honor Dr. King with activities connected to the theme of nonviolence, civil service, and social justice. There will be a craft table, sandwich-making, Kahoot, and more.

January 22: JEDI Graduate Student Training

Castle Dining Room, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The JEDI Graduate Training session encourages our community to reflect on our own biases and take action against bias in our respective fields. The facilitator of the session is Dr. Chris Hunt, Vice President and Dean for Equity and Inclusion at Moravian University. Lunch will be served.

January 23: Community Education Event  

Commons Great Room, 5-6:30 p.m.

This engaging community event will feature a special guest, Kenneth “Freedom Smitty” Salaam, a living legend. Known for his work to “improve the lives of all,” Mr. Salaam traveled the country to engage in social justice advocacy alongside Civil Rights leaders including Stokley Carmichael, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dr. King. Mr. Salaam will share his experiences and speak about how today’s students can help make the world a better place. We will also have roundtable discussions centered on how nonviolence activism aligns with Arcadia’s Lived Values, CABR goals, and initiatives. Refreshments will be served. 

January 24: Movie Showing

Commons Great Room, 6 p.m.

Spend time with your fellow Knights watching the film, “The Wiz.” This film is a contemporary African American adaptation of the children’s book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Popcorn will be served.

January 25: Athletics Games Honors MLK

The Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Swimming, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Men’s Ice Hockey teams have selected various Dr. King speeches to spotlight throughout the day. Teams have also connected their chosen speech to one of the Six Principles of Nonviolence. Spectators may bring nonperishable foods to donate to the Arcadia Pantry to each game. Please check https://arcadiaknights.com/ for scheduling information.

 If you have any questions please send them to aedi@arcadia.edu

Planning Team Faculty and Staff Members

Allannah Giles Coordinator, Student Engagement,  Student Affairs

Colton Greiss, Residence Life Coordinator

Ann Harrington, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy 

Kerri Hearn, Director, Alumni Engagement and Programming, University Advancement

Cat Mattingly, Director, Community Standards & Conduct,  Student Affairs 

Oliver Moe, Director of Student-Athlete Success & Leadership, Athletics

Jaisy Omollo, Assistant Director of Civic and Global Engagement 

Staci Jo Palek, Assistant Director of Campus Life/Orientation, Campus Life  

Heather Sherman, Administrative Assistant, Computer Science & Math and Chemistry & Physics

Christine Storch, Director of Student Engagement, Campus Life

Christopher Varlack, Executive Director, Center for Antiracist, Scholarship, Advocacy, and Action and Associate Professor

Lisa M. Ware, Assist. Dir. Financial Aid, Financial Aid

Planning Team Student Members

Alina Chen 

Theo Dextradeur

Cheyanne Fleming

Collin Gazella 

Kristen Iles

Kasai Jacobs 

Simone Miller

Callum Otieno 

Kiara Collado

Kiara Rodriguez 

Allyson Velez

Adrianna Watkins

Shaughn Williams 

Sponsors

CASAA, Financial Aid Office, and the departments of Chemistry/Physics, Computer Science and Math, and Visual & Performing Arts / Media & Communication

Committee Chair

Jullette Wilkins, Coordinator, Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Contributor

Dr. Angela S. McNeil, Assistant Vice President, Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion