This is the 31st year of the celebration at OSU, with events ranging from roundtable discussions to music and the annual public service event that pays tribute to King’s dedication to serving others. The events are open to the public and most are free.

OSU’s celebration is one of the oldest continuous MLK events in the state. It is organized each year by a group of OSU community members.

Among the highlights of the two-week celebration is a stage production of “Martin and Music” that weaves a live performance of King’s words accompanied by music. It takes place Tuesday, Jan. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center, Construction and Engineering Hall.

A reader’s theater bringing the speeches of Nobel Peace Prize winners will be from 6 to 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Memorial Union, Journey Room. And a candlelight vigil, a popular and longstanding tradition, will take place Tuesday, Jan. 22, starting at 7 p.m. at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center and ending at the MU steps.

The annual Peace Breakfast at 9 a.m., Jan. 21, will feature presentation of the Phyllis S. Lee & Frances Dancy Hooks Coalition Builder Awards. Maria Chavez-Haroldson, associate director for outreach and engagement with the OSU Center for Latin@ Studies and Engagement, will be this year’s keynote speaker.

Tickets will be available at the door, but organizers advise patrons to buy tickets in advance from the MU business office, as the event regularly sells out. Tickets, which go on sale starting Monday, Jan. 7, are $10 for general admission and $6 for students; children ages 5-and-under will be admitted free. Call 541-737-4381 for more information.

For more information and a full schedule of events see http://oregonstate.edu/oei/martin-luther-king-jr-celebration and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OSUMLKcelebration

Assistant Professor Juan Trujillo received the Frances Dancy Hooks Coalition Builder Award. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Monday was a holiday for the campus community, but hundreds of students, staff, faculty and community members turned up early at OSU for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Breakfast in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

As the audience enjoyed quiche and potatoes, keynote speaker Richard Lapchick spoke about his life’s dedication to social justice, and how his efforts to fight for equality in the sports world often landed him in harm’s way, including being physically assaulted on occasion.

The event also highlighted the work of three OSU community members who received awards for their work in the areas of social justice and community.

Associate Professor Deanna Kingston in the department of Anthropology received the Phyllis S. Lee Award for her work, including her dedication to documenting the lives of King Islanders.

Associate Professor Deanna Kingston received the Phyllis S. Lee Award. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

Assistant Professor Juan Antonio Trujillo in the department of Foreign Languages and Literatures received the Frances Dancy Hooks Coalition Builders Award for his tireless dedication to service, and business administration student Hunnan Pope received the same award for his cross-cultural work.

College of Business student Hunnan Pope received the Frances Dancy Hooks Coalition Builder Award. (photo: Theresa Hogue)

A cappella group Outspoken performed several songs during the event, and later in the day, a birthday celebration for King, a candlelight vigil and a discussion were held, as part of a several week celebration of King’s legacy.

~ Theresa Hogue