ALMA — Alma College will remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a slate of events over the week of Jan. 16 celebrating and reflecting on his visions for civil rights and social justice, including a community engagement fair, poetry night, poverty simulation, art exhibit and more.
The week’s activities are highlighted by a brunch for the campus and local community, with a keynote speech from Travis Hall, a Saginaw native and ordained bishop from Life Church International, on Monday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.) at the Art Smith Arena, Hogan Center, on campus at Alma College.
On that day, classes are canceled and athletics practices will not take place during scheduled events.
“We are looking forward to Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the week of events that follow on campus,” said Jonathan Glenn, director of diversity and inclusion at Alma College. “We believe these events and the discussions that come from them have a significant impact on our students, who are then able to take the lessons they learned here and better their communities — both here, locally, as well as wherever life takes them.”
Hall has served in ministry since 2001. In 2016, he launched cultivatemypurpose.com, with the mission of “helping people discover and cultivate their God-given purpose.” In addition to the brunch, a number of other events are slated to take place for students, staff and faculty of Alma College:
Community Engagement Fair: Attendees have the opportunity to learn about various ways to help their local area, from noon to 1:15 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16 in the Hogan Center lobby.
Blood Drive: Alma College is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive from 11 a.m. until 4:45 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16 in the Stone Recreation Center. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. Make an appointment at redcrossblood.org.
MLK Program Series: Various staff and faculty members will host a series of programs from 12:30 to 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 16 across campus. “Poverty Simulation” is scheduled to take place in Hogan Center, Cappaert Gymnasium, while “Illustrating the Dream” will be held at Swanson Academic Center 110. “Gender-Affirming Closet” will take place at Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center, as will the “MLK Gallery Walk.”
Hilson Poetry Slam: The public is invited as poets of all skill and experience levels perform works centered on King’s legacies, including activism, resistance, oppression, liberation, revolution and justice. There will be an open mic session for anyone who wishes to perform; memorization is not required. The Hilson Poetry Slam is dedicated to the late Calvin Hilson ’06, who started the tradition of hosting a poetry slam on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Alma College, and tragically passed away in 2016. The slam will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18 in the lobby of Gelston Hall. RSVP is not required.
2023 Unity Celebration: Slated for 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20 at Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center, this is the conclusion of the week’s events. There, participants will celebrate the achievements of the past week, while enjoying live entertainment, dinner and community. The public is invited to attend; RSVP is not required.
For more information about the week’s events, email Jonathan Glenn at glennjb@alma.edu.
