Cornell celebrates the life of MLK

January 10, 2020

The second week of Block 5 will be filled with events and gatherings on the Cornell College campus to celebrate the life and contributions of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Dr. King’s life and legacy are not only important to the black community, but they are also important to the American society as a whole,” said Director of Intercultural Life Hemie Collier. “He, amongst others, help set the standard of what it is to be a true American citizen.”

The Intercultural Life Office has teamed up with others on campus to organize events on MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 20, and throughout the week. All of the events are free and open to the Cornell community and the public.

Jan. 20 | MLK Week: MLK Day of Service (sewing pillows for cardiac patients)
10 a.m.–5 p.m.  | Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons

Jan. 20 | Candlelight MLK Vigil
5 p.m. | Thomas Commons to Allee Chapel

Jan. 21 | MLK Week: Design Your Dream T-Shirt Painting and Competition
3 p.m.–5 p.m. | Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons

Jan. 21 | Chop It Up Chats & MLK Week: Self-Love, Loneliness, and Healthy Relationships
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons

Jan. 22 | MLK Cultural Impact Walk-Through Symposium
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons

Jan. 22 | MLK Week: Netflix Night
6–8 p.m.  | Stoner House, 527 First St. NW 

Jan. 23 | Hilltop Chronicles
6:15–7:30 p.m. | Zamora’s Market, Thomas Commons

Jan. 23 | MLK Week: Radio Tribute
12–1 p.m. | Tune in to KRNL 89.7 FM

Jan. 24 |MLK Week: Juneteenth Presentation by Sean Donaldson, African American Museum of Iowa
11:30 a.m. | Orange Carpet, Thomas Commons

Jan. 24 |MLK Week: Juneteenth in January Songs, Dances, and Celebration
4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. | Zamora’s Market, Thomas Commons

Jan. 24 | MLK Week: Soul Food Dinner
6:30 p.m. | Stoner House, 500 1st. St. SW. (RSVP by Jan. 22 at on Eventbrite)

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the college on Oct. 15, 1962, talking to Cornellians in King Chapel. He said, “… I am convinced that men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.”