Emporia State University has a number of activities planned to commemorate Monday’s observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including events on Tuesday, Wednesday and Feb. 1.
Highlighting Monday’s MLK activities will be a keynote address by the Rev. Gregory Gary, the pastor of Christ Church of Second Chances in Lawrence. Gary’s address will begin at 6 p.m. at Heath Recital Hall. Following that address, audience members can take part in a candlelight walk across Market Street to the First Christian Church, where ESU’s Harmonious Voices of Praise will perform at 7:30 p.m.
During the performance, Jesse Solis will be presented with this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Citizen of the Year award.
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the Multicultural Affairs Office and Office of International Education will screen “Crash,” the Academy Award winner for Best Picture in 2005, in Science Hall room 72. A brown-bag lunch to discuss the film will be held on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. A location hasn’t yet been determined.
On Feb. 1 from 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. in the Emporia High School library, ESU’s Black Student Union and Hispanic American Leadership Organization will participate in a panel discussion on King’s legacy with respect to education.
At Wednesday night’s city commission action meeting, Mayor Julie Johnson signed a proclamation declaring Monday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Emporia.