Ashland University honored Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in a multitude of ways during Legacy Week, which stretched from Jan. 18 to 23. The celebration was coordinated by staff from AU’s Center for CommUNITYand Belonging.
Students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate King through acts of community service, conversation and worship.
The week began on Jan. 18 with a worship service, led by Five Stones Community Church at 10:30 a.m. in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel.
The following day was MLK Day; students had the opportunity to volunteer with multiple organizations and community members from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event was organized by AU GIVS.
“We had a group of about 29 Ashland University students that woke up early, rather than just taking the day off, and they committed their time to community service,” said Director of the Center for CommUNITYand Belonging, Alex Hill.
Volunteers met in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center and were sent to multiple locations from there. These included The Humane Society of Ashland County, Salvation Army and more.
Also on MLK Day, a virtual panel discussion took place covering the life and legacy of the civil rights activist. The event featured William Myers, Ph.D., Marvin McMickle, Ph.D. and Otis Moss, Ph.D., all current or past members of the Ashland Theological Seminary.
“Tonight, we get to showcase a few of the legends in our community and hear some of their stories in the ATS Legacy Panel,” said Hill, welcoming guests to the virtual meeting.
Moss even had a personal relationship with King, as well as a career as an advocate for the achievement of education, civil and human rights and social justice issues which earned him a spot on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta.
“It is always remarkable to have a conversation about the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr.; it was my blessing, my privilege, as a college freshman, to know the entire King family,” said Moss.
The night was filled with fruitful and empowering conversations.
On Jan. 21, The Ashland Center for Nonviolence and AU’s Department of Religion held a table talk in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center. There, they highlighted King’s legacy through one of his writings.
Continuing their acts of service, AU GIVS and the Department of Recreation and Wellness co-hosted a blood drive in Redwood Hall from noon to 4 p.m.
To close out the week, a Culture Fest was held in Redwood Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 23. The event with highlight different groups across campus such as Black Student Alliance, Eagles for Pride, International Student Services, Unidad and Women of Excellence. Games, music and many conversations were also held throughout the night.
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