Arcadia University to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Week of Service and Celebration Events
Arcadia University will celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a variety of events on campus and in the community between Jan. 16 and Jan. 30, 2023.
Dr. King’s “The Other America” in light of creating a “Beloved Community,” is the theme for 2023.
“We celebrate the life and works of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King to remember the key role he played in the Civil Rights Movement and how he advocated for social justice,” said Dr. Angela McNeil, assistant vice president of Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Arcadia. “Five decades later, we continue his fight for the ideals of equity and social justice, recognizing that inequality affects us all.”
Below is the schedule of events:
Jan. 16-30: Collection for Jenkintown Food Pantry
- Drop-off boxes can be found at various points around campus, including Taylor Hall, Landman Library, Kuch Center, the Commons, Grey Towers Castle, and the lobby of Oak Summit Apartments.
- Donations of canned goods (veggies, soups, fruit, tuna), peanut butter, jelly, crackers, beans, and rice will all be accepted.
Jan. 16: Community Mural
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Avery D. Harrington Elementary School (5300 Baltimore Ave
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143)
- Click here to sign up for the event.
- Community members who would like to participate can click here for more information.
Jan. 16: Discussion on Criminal Justice Reform
- 7-9 p.m., Commons Great Room
- Arcadia University, in collaboration with the Cheltenham Area Branch NAACP, will host a panel discussion on criminal justice reform. Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor, Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, will serve as the keynote speaker.
- Panelists include, Pennsylvania State Senator Art Haywood, Judge Christorpher Cerski, Pre-Law Adjunct Professor, Montgomery County District Judge, Hakim K. Jones, Former Councilman of Norristown Municipal Council, Linda Fields, President, Montgomery County Black Caucus and moderated by current students.
Jan. 17: Student Trivia Event
- 7:00 p.m., Commons Great Room (Doors open at 6:45)
- Sponsored by the Offices of Campus Life and Civic Engagement, this Trivia Tuesday event will kick off a series of Tuesday Trivia Nights hosted by Campus Life. The theme for 1/17 is unknown facts about Martin Luther King Jr. The format will be Kahoot style multiple choice answers. Students can choose to join teams or compete individually. Prizes include: Arcadia Swag door prizes, secret raffle prizes, and gift cards. Refreshments will also be provided.
Jan. 18: MLK Speeches
- 7 p.m.: Halftime of the Men’s Basketball game vs. Alvernia University. The speech will be a segment from “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.”
Jan. 19: MLK Community Engagement Event
- 6-8 p.m., Commons Great Room
- Based on Dr. King’s speech, “The Other America” Arcadia students, faculty, staff, and alumni will engage in conversation, as well as discuss and suggest solutions based on the relevance of the speech in the current times and answer the question. “ How can we make Arcadia a ‘Beloved Community’ In 2023?
Jan. 20: Selma Movie Night
- 7 p.m., Commons Great Room
- This film chronicles the three tumultuous months when Dr. King led a march from Selma to Montomery in the face of violence and oppression to secure voting rights for Black Americans.
Jan. 21: MLK Speech
- 1 p.m., Halftime of Women’s Basketball game vs. Lycoming College. The speech will be a segment from “Where Do We Go From Here.”
Angela McNeil reminds us that, “In Dr. King’s words, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.’
We invite you to join us as we reflect on and engage with the words and works of Dr. King.”
For more information about Arcadia’s MLK events, contact the Office of Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at aedi@arcadia.edu
These events are made possible by the following committee members:
Michelle Brennan, Director of Marketing, MARCOM
Keonna Dumas, Assistant Director of Campus Life/Student Engagement, Campus Life
Susanne Ferrin, Executive Director, Campus Life
Oliver Moe, Coordinator 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
Anthony Reyes, Academic Advisor & Gateway to Success Coordinator, Gateway to Success
Viviana Santos, Next Steps AmeriCorps Team Leader, Civic and Global Engagement
Nicole Steiner, Alumni Relations
Dr. Christopher A. Varlack, Executive Director, CASAA, Director, Pan African Studies
Committee Chair
Jullette Wilkins, Senior Administrative Assistant, Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Contributor
Dr. Angela S. McNeil, Assistant Vice President, Access, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
