College Community To Celebrate Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with Gospel Choir Festival and More

Jan. 16, 2013 – Allegheny College will commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the weekend, continuing with a full day of events on Monday, Jan. 21.

The theme of this year’s celebration, “Transformation through Education,” focuses on U.S. diversity, global learning, civic/democratic engagement, social justice and social change.

Most of the celebration events — including a gospel choir festival, keynote speech and workshops — are free and open to the public.

The gospel choir festival will be held in conjunction with various local community churches at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, in the college’s Ford Chapel. The festival will include teams of dance, praise and mime in addition to choirs.

Carmen Ellington, who graduated from Allegheny College in 1986, will present the keynote address at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Ford Chapel. Ellington is manager of executive affairs at the Hill House Association, an independent nonprofit organization offering a range of programs and services to Pittsburgh’s Hill District community and surrounding areas.

She will speak on “Martin Luther King Jr. on U.S. Diversity, Internationalization and Civic Engagement: Enduring Commitment.”

Other events scheduled include community service activities on Saturday. Monday’s events will include a celebration of President Obama’s second inauguration and a full day of workshops and panel discussions offered by Allegheny students, faculty and staff and community members.

A complete schedule can be found here.