Fairfield University’s annual commemoration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. features a series of campus-wide events designed to inspire all to continue on with the important work reflected in the words, writings, and actions of Dr. King.

"The Fairfield University community is proud to celebrate the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a number of programs," stated Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D, associate dean of students and director of Residence Life and the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs. "We hope that the variety of programs planned by the MLK committee will intersect with the work we are currently doing across disciplines and within different communities. In furthering Dr. King’s legacy, we invite the greater Fairfield community to participate in discourse on racial justice by attending one or more of the events to better understand each other and recognize our shared human dignity."

The 2019 MLK, Jr. Convocation, an integral part of the celebration, will be held on Wednesday, January 30 at 8 p.m. at the Quick Center for the Arts where award-winning historian and New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi will be the keynote speaker. The event is free and open to the public. 

The Convocation will be preceded by a dinner and awards presentation. The Vision Award recipients—individuals who demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and values of Dr. King—will be honored, as will the winners of the annual essay contest for middle school students. This year’s Vision Awards are being presented to Maggie Labinski, assistant professor of philosophy; Sharon Daley, operations assistant for the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, and Sydney Williams ’19.

In addition to the Convocation, the committee has planned a series of events to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy including a Gospel Mass, days of community service, a campus visit from the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Academy, and a retrospective celebration of activism on campus.

Dr. Rowe-Allen and Rachelle Brunn-Bevel, PhD, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, are co-chairs of this year’s MLK observance, supported by a committee of volunteers. 

For more information about this year’s MLK Jr. celebration, please visit fairfield.edu/mlk.