MANHATTAN -- Known for his "booming baritone" voice, Rev. Wintley Phipps Sr. has performed for iconic world leaders including Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and every U.S. president since Jimmy Carter.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, Phipps will perform at Kansas State University. Phipps will give an inspirational message at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Martin Luther King Observance Week candlelight vigil in the K-State Student Union Ballroom. Phipps is a Grammy-nominated gospel singer who is an ordained minister.

"This is huge for our campus and community," said Brandon Clark, coordinator of the event and program

assistant for the K-State Office of Diversity. "We want those who come to leave with an inspirational message. But after we are done reflecting and being inspired, the question is what are we going to do to continue Dr. King’s dream?"

Part of the university’s weeklong Martin Luther King observance celebration, the Alpha Phi Alpha candlelight vigil is the oldest Martin Luther King observance program activity at the university. The event is open to the public and a way for the fraternity to honor King, who was also a member of the historically black fraternity, said Clark, a fellow Alpha Phi Alpha member.

The MLK observance week theme this year is "The Dream is Still Our Beacon." Events reflect on King's legacy and remember the loss of President John F. Kennedy 50 years ago, as well as the principles of equal opportunity and social justice, for which both King and Kennedy stood, said Myra Gordon, the university's associate provost for diversity.

For a full listing and details of MLK week events, visit http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jan14/mlkweek11414.html.