January 17, 2025
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week Jan. 25-31
Dear Wildcats,
We cordially invite you to participate in the 2025 celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Week with events and activities under the theme, "Protecting Freedom, Justice and Democracy for All."
Kansas State University takes pride in celebrating the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic visit in 1968. His steadfast commitment to nonviolence and social justice continues to be foundational to K-State's core values. In honor of his enduring legacy, K-State will host a weeklong series of events in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.
Saturday, Jan. 25
MLK Day of Service, 8 a.m. to noon, Staley School of Leadership and community organizations.
Monday, Jan. 27
21st annual MLK College of Agriculture Student Leader Reception, 5:30-7 p.m. in the Leadership Studies Building Town Hall, Room 114, or Zoom: k-state.edu/mlk.
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Community Healing Hub, 9-11 a.m. in the K-State Student Union Flint Hills Room, sign up required at k-state.edu/mlk.
Commerce Bank Presidential Awards, 3:30-5 p.m. in the K-State Alumni Center Amy Button Renz Banquet Room.
Wednesday, Jan. 29
11th annual Civil Rights Teach-In: Well-Being, Body, Mind, World, 2:30-5 p.m. in Leadership Studies Building Town Hall, Room 114.
Thursday, Jan. 30
MLK Presidential Luncheon and Lecture, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the K-State Alumni Center Amy Button Renz Banquet Room. Luncheon tickets are $25 per person, and tables are also available for purchase at k-state.edu/mlk.
College of Business Administration MLK Event: Joy in a New Beginning, 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Room 1088 of the Business Building.
NASB and IFSA MLK Week Speaker, 5-6 p.m. in the K-State Student Union's Bluemont Room.
Friday, Jan. 31
Affinity Group Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Rooms 204 and 205 of the Morris Family Multicultural Student Center.
Laying of the Wreaths and Candlelight Ceremony, 1:30 p.m. in the K-State Student Union courtyard and Martin Luther King Jr. bust.
Read more about all of these events at k-state.edu/mlk.
It is our hope that you will join us for as many of these events as possible as we celebrate the legacy and life of Martin Luther King Jr.
A special thank you to the Office of the President, Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee, Office of Access and Opportunity, Inclusion at Commerce Bank, Office of Student Belonging and Inclusion, various colleges, student organizations and advocates for social change across the Kansas State University community who contributed to the 2025 observance week activities.
May we all take time to engage in the 2025 weeklong activities with an innovative spirit of reflection and action in honoring the legacy and life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. stated, "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically." In a 1947 article, "The Purpose of Education," he also wrote, "Education should help people distinguish between truth and falsehood, reality and unreality, and fact and fiction."
Thank you for your leadership and support of the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. weeklong celebration.
Rana Johnson, Ph.D.
Vice president for access and opportunity