Ithaca College

We are pleased to announce the full schedule for the 2019 MLK Week Celebration!

                                    January 21-27, 2019

In 2008, IC President Emerita Peggy Williams declared the first day of spring classes would be a "Day on, not Off."  This declaration was in direct response to student organizing and in recognition that the first day of the spring semester routinely fell on the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King.  Today, this legacy continues. In lieu of traditional classroom instruction, the "Day on, not Off" is a time of reflection and a call to action through programs and activities. 

This year's theme, "Every Step Toward the Goal of Justice" is taken from a larger quote in Dr. King's book, Stride Toward Freedom.  In this book, Dr. King writes,

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.  Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.  Every step towards the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.  Without persistent effort, time itself becomes an ally of the insurgent and primitive forces of irrational emotionalism and social destruction.  This is no time for apathy or complacency.  This is a time for vigorous and positive action.

We ask the campus community to join us during the first week of our spring semester to engage in discussions, workshops, keynote events, community service projects, and more.   

Monday, January 21

  The People's Movement

     Multimedia learning, viewing, & reflection spaces

     11am-3pm | Klingenstein & Clark Lounges

  Civil Rights Tour Presentation

     1st Year MLK Scholars

     4pm | Emerson Suites

 Keynote: John Sims, Artist

     "A Blazing Glory: Space, Time, & Justice" 

     5pm | Emerson Suites

Tuesday, January 22

  Geometry of Justice: From MathArt to FlagArt

     John Sims

     12pm-1pm | Klingenstein Lounge 

  Was Dr. King an Ally?

     Dr. Sean Eversley Bradwell

     12pm-1pm | Clarke Lounge

  ‘AfroDixieRemixes’: The Ithaca Responses

     John Sims

     6pm | Textor 102

Wednesday, January 23

  Social Media, Social Justice, and Media Literacy: Sports and Action

     Cyndy Scheibe, Professor, Psychology & Executive Director, Project Look Sharp

     7pm | Emerson Suites 

Thursday, January 24

  Unpacking Our Own Privilege

     IDEAS Student Leaders

     12pm-1pm | Klingenstein Lounge

  Stepping into Justice: Spirituality and Activism

     Interfaith Leader Panel

     12pm-1pm | Clark Lounge

  Interfaith Community Dinner

     5:30pm- 8:30pm | Muller Chapel

Friday, January 25 

  MLK Shabbat Service

     6pm-7pm | Muller Chapel

  School of Music Annual MLK Concert

     7:30pm | Ford Hall, Whalen Center

Saturday, January 26

  MLK Day of Service

     8am-4pm | Various Community Locations

Sunday, January 27 

  MLK Interfaith Service

     5:30pm-6:30pm | Muller Chapel

Our goal is to not only celebrate the life, legacy, and messages of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. but also to remind us that “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable.”

For more information, please contact any member of the IC MLK Celebration Committee:

Don Austin | Elena Chang | Avril Crowe | Dr. Sean Eversley Bradwell | Dr. Ellie Fulmer | Lauren Goldberg | Doreen Hettich-Atkins | Omega Hollies | Hayley Kretchmer | Hierald Osorto | Courtney Owens | Kevin Perry | Serena Velazquez | Karen Walls

Individuals with differing abilities requiring accommodations should contact the Center for IDEAS at 607-274-7777, email IDEAS@ithaca.edu, or stop by IDEAS office in Campus Center, 3rd floor.  We ask that requests be made as soon as possible.