2025 Commemoration
“Ultimately, individual responsibility lies not in the external situation but in the internal response.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
(from “Accepting Responsibility for Your Actions” sermon, Atlanta, GA, July 26, 1954)
The 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration (Danforth Campus)
Monday, January 20, 2025
Graham Chapel, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.*
Theme: Responsibility
The program is free to attend and open to the public. A recording of the event is available here for those who were unable to attend in person, and a digital copy of the program booklet is available here.
*The community is also invited to participate in a service project from noon – 2 p.m. in Umrath Lounge. Volunteers will assemble hygiene kits for children in the Ritenour School District, care packages for those without homes, blankets for area animal shelters, and cards for local senior citizens.
Student Co-Hosts:
Spencer Snipe, Association of Black Students, Vice President
Hussein Amuri, Student Union, President
Remarks
Andrew D. Martin, PhD., Washington University Chancellor
Greetings
Wilmetta Toliver-Diallo, PhD, Senior Assistant Dean of Advising, College of Arts & Sciences and Lecturer in the African and African-American Studies Department
Keynote
Harvey R. Fields, PhD, founding Dean and Assistant Professor of Chemistry, College of STEM at Harris-Stowe State University
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Service Award Presentation
Legacy Jackson will receive the MLK Youth Service Award
Rosa L. Parks Memorial Award Presentation
Dr. Flint W. Fowler will receive the Rosa L. Parks Award for “Meritorious Service to the Community.”
Performances
Black Anthology, Washington University student-run production group celebrating Black culture, Unending Praise Gospel Acapella Choir, and the Washington University Concert Choir
Closing
Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life
Reception
Danforth University Center, Tisch Commons
For More Information:
Contact Rudolph Clay, MLK Commemoration Committee Chair, at (314) 935-5059
Email: rudolphc@wustl.edu
The commemoration is organized by the 2024-25 Washington University Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee (Danforth Campus):
Adam Brok (Campus Life)
Jacqueline Carter (Olin Business School)
Rudolph Clay Jr. (University Libraries)
Phyllis Jackson (Office of Scholar Programs)
Ashley June Moore (Arts & Sciences)