GRANVILLE, Ohio— In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” dated April 16, 1963, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Denison University celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s letter and his 83rd birthday with a series of events that reflect on how these words continue to resonate with current struggles for social, economic and political justice. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Anthony Arceño at 740-587-8687 or visit www.denison.edu/mlk.
Launching the events, an interfaith service will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). Denison will join local congregations and the surrounding community to celebrate in the spirit of Dr. King. The doors to Swasey Chapel will open at 6 p.m. to enjoy a display of works of art by local school children. The art will reflect this year's Denison theme celebrating King, “The Courage to Create a Just World.” Various campus and community groups will bring funds and food donations to benefit the Food Pantry of Licking County, which also will be recognized in the service. The service will combine prayers and readings from Dr. King, interspersed with rousing gospel choir tributes, and a special address by Newark pastor, the Rev. Dr. Michael Noble, a member of the Denison class of 1984.
On Monday, Jan. 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Denison will hold its annual Day of Learning in honor of the civil rights leader. This year, the day begins with a service fair to learn about volunteer opportunities from 10 to 11:15 a.m. in Doane Library (400 West Loop).
A convocation featuring notable alumni will take place at 1 p.m. The panel, consisting of Jeremy Blake ’12, founder of the South Newark Civic Association; Coral Breuer ’11, project coordinator for Student Outreach Initiatives with Ohio Campus Compact; and Tamela Collins ’89, chief operating officer with Girl Scouts of Ohio Heartland's Council, will discuss special social, economic and political justice issues affecting surrounding areas and society at large.
Following the convocation, a series of “teach-ins,” short classes, discussions or workshops, will address a variety of topics, from “Aesthetic Assimilation,” to “Where Does Justice Begin?” The teach-ins will take place in three sessions, from 2:30 to 5:20 p.m. in various locations throughout the Denison campus.
Calendar Listing:
CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—MLK interfaith service at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive) The doors to Swasey Chapel will open at 6 p.m. to enjoy artwork by local children. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Anthony Arceño at 740-587-8687 or visit www.denison.edu/mlk.
CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—MLK service fair at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Doane Library (400 West Loop). Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Anthony Arceño at 740-587-8687 or visit
www.denison.edu/mlk.
CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—MLK Convocation at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Anthony Arceño at 740-587-8687 or visit
www.denison.edu/mlk.
CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—MLK Teach-ins at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in various locations on the Denison campus. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mark Anthony Arceño at 740-587-8687 or visit
www.denison.edu/mlk.
About Denison:
Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.
