January 12, 2024

SLE Participates in 44th Annual MLK Commemorative Celebration

While Martin Luther King Jr. Day will officially be celebrated on Monday, January 15, the university’s 44th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration kicks off a weeklong-plus slate of events on Friday, January 12. 

The schedule of events includes a variety of entertaining and educational events in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy and highlights historical events that took place on the MSU campus and beyond. This year’s theme is “Courageous Leadership and an Unwavering Commitment to Civil Rights, Equity, and Social Justice.”

Produced by the 2024 MLK Commemorative Student Committee and the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, the Division of Student Life & Engagement will be collaborating on a number of special events in honor of the celebration via the Office of Spartan Experiences, the MSU Union, organizations within Fraternity & Sorority Life, and more. Here is a rundown of SLE-affiliated events:

2024 MLK Student Leadership Conference
Friday, January 12 / MSU Union / 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hosted by the 2024 MLK Student Commemorative Committee within the greater 2024 MLK Commemorative Committee, this in-person event is free to students and features presentations, entertainment, keynote speakers, lunch, a resource fair and more. Registration for the conference is at no cost to MSU students. Students can register here. A conference packet and t-shirt will be provided to all registered participants while supplies last.

Weekend Wellness; A Dreamer’s Mindset: Healthy Strategies for Achieving Wellness and Building Community
Saturday, January 13 / IM East / 8 p.m.-midnight
Recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. legacy of living with intention, this special health and wellness fair with Recreational Sports and Fitness will also host a “Spartan Glow and Flow” skating event. The event promotes campus-wide wellness and healthy goal setting grounded in an unwavering commitment to perseverance and building community. Skates will be provided free of charge. Giveaways and food will be provided.

Annual 2024 MLK Commemorative March 
Monday, January 15 / Begins at Beaumont Tower / 9 a.m.
The annual 2024 MLK Commemorative March begins at Beaumont Tower and will conclude at the construction site of the MSU Multicultural Center. The march is collaboratively hosted by the MSU Zeta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the 2024 MLK Student Committee within the 2024 MLK Commemorative Committee. Individual march participants do not have to register. All organizations are invited to participate in the march. If your organization would like to participate in the march, please complete the registration form. Note: Please consider weather conditions and dress accordingly. 

2024 Springticipation & MLK Cultural Engagement Showcase 
Thursday, January 18 / STEM Building / 6-9 p.m.
The 2024 MLK Commemorative Week Student Committee is joining the Office of Spartan Experiences to host a special rendition of Springticipation, the office’s annual student involvement and engagement resource fair. Several hundred registered student organizations will be on hand to meet and register new members! This year and in honor of the commemorative celebration, the event will also feature a social justice themed arts and cultural performance showcase. 

7th Annual Diversity Research Showcase
Friday, January 19 / MSU Union & Virtual / 1-5 p.m.
With support from the Honors College, Undergraduate Research, the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, MSU Libraries, the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, the College of Arts & Letters, the Broad College of Business, the College of Natural Science, the College of Social Science, and Student Life & Engagement. Join us for the virtual and in-person showcase featuring MSU undergraduate student research on issues of diversity that advance inclusion. Register for the showcase here.

Along with these events, the commemorative celebration will also be hosting a variety of additional events throughout the week including the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Unity Dinner, a film series, a book drive and much more. For a full, comprehensive schedule of events, visit inclusion.msu.edu


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