Rogers State University will host a remembrance ceremony featuring musical and spoken word performances on Monday, Jan. 23, to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. in the Centennial Center Ballroom and is open to the public. Instead of purchasing tickets, attendees are asked to bring a canned food donation to benefit the Good Samaritan Food Pantry at First United Methodist Church in Claremore.
The MLK Remembrance Ceremony will feature a musical performance by the Booker T. Washington High School Choir, led by Vocal Music Instructor Melissa Jones-Chunu. The ceremony will also feature a musical performances by RSU students Adriann Annan, an RSU social science – sociology senior from Henryetta, and Roderick Crisp, an RSU communications – corporate communication senior from Claremore. Special guest performer Skyler Little, an OSU engineering junior from Stillwater, will present her original spoken word piece, “Hats.”
RSU Director of Student Development Katy Launius says she hopes the ceremony will inspire both students and the public to consider how King’s work is still relevant today.
“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the greatest advocates for equality and justice this country has ever seen,” Launius said. “We hope the ceremony will inspire people to take King’s words to heart and remember that the time is always right to do what is right.”
The MLK Remembrance Ceremony is part of RSU’s annual MLK Week of Service, one of the largest service projects in the area. The MLK Week of Service helps the university positively engage the community and encourage opportunities for cultural, intellectual and personal enrichment for the university and the communities it serves. Launius expects around 200 students will volunteer over the course of two community service project days.
“King’s life and legacy teach us that words, though effective, are not enough to create a lasting impact,” Launius said. “Action is the key that creates positive change for people and their communities.”
The university was awarded a $1,900 MLK Day Mini-Grant Award in October. Launius said the grant will be used to pay for food, travel expenses and other materials related to the MLK Week projects and events.
For more information about the MLK Week of Service, contact Launius at 918-343-7707 or by email at [email protected], or visit www.rsu.edu/mlk.