Your Guide To 2025 MLK Day Events At Penn State

Over the next couple of weeks, there will be several on-campus events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme for the 2025 slate of events is “Change Continues With Us.”
We’ve got you covered with a list of all of the events that are happening, so you don’t miss a thing!
50th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Banquet: Wednesday, January 15
On Wednesday, January 15, Penn State will host its 50th annual Dr. MLK Memorial Banquet at the Bryce Jordan Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the banquet will start promptly at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Bryce Jordan Center website. The event is sponsored by the Forum of Black Affairs.
MLK Jr. Lunch: Thursday, January 16
On Thursday, January 16, in the E-Knowledge Commons of 101 Reber Building, there will be a lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The lunch is sponsored by the National Society of Black Engineers and the College of Engineering.
Peace March: Friday, January 17
The Dr. Martin Luther King Peace March will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, January 17. The march will start at the MLK Plaza Downtown with a march to campus planned after a 15-minute presentation. At the end of the march, the event will end with an evening program called “Rhythms of Change.” Folks can RSVP for the event here.
MLK Jr Day of Service: Monday, January 20
From 8 a.m. to noon on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be several in-house service-related events at the HUB. The locations include Heritage Hall and Alumni Hall along with other locations within the HUB.
“SELMA” Film Watch and Discussion: Monday, January 20
After the MLK Day of Service activities conclude, there will be a screening of the 2014 film “Selma,” followed by a program led by Matt Siekman. Siekman is a student engagement specialist in student leadership and involvement. The screening and program will take place in Freeman Auditorium in the HUB.
MLK Jr. Commemoration Evening Celebration with Sherrilyn Ifil & Beverly Daniel Tatum: Tuesday, January 21
On Tuesday, January 21, in Freeman Auditorium, there will be an evening reception featuring esteemed guest speakers Sherrilyn Ifil, civil rights lawyer and former president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, former president of Spelman College, psychologist, and author of “Can We Talk About Race?” and “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”
The reception will start at 6 p.m. and the doors will open for the conversation with the guest speakers at 6:45 p.m. Although no tickets are required, the doors will close once the event space reaches capacity. You can RSVP for the evening celebration here.
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In Poetry & Prose: Wednesday, January 22
At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, room 008 of the HUB will host a night filled with music, poetry, and more from members of the Penn State community. Featured performances include Wilson Okello, Carmin Wong, and the winners of the Alpha Phi Alpha Oratorical Competition.
A Choral Tribute To Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Friday, January 24
At 7 p.m. on Friday, January 24, in Eisenhower Auditorium, vocal ensembles from Penn State and various Pennsylvania high school singing groups will perform a tribute. Performances will focus on choral and vocal music from African and African-American musical idioms that emphasize the legacy and influence of the late champion of civil and human rights. Tickets can be purchased at the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State website.
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