SALT LAKE CITY - Westminster University invites the community to take part in a series of events to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the month of January.
The 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrations will focus on the theme of "Bodies on the Line," relating to movement of the body as both a form of protest against systems and structures of social, cultural, and political power and as a form of mental health, wellness, and healing.
Westminster University’s evolving efforts to honor Martin Luther King Jr. are anchored in his powerful words: “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” Intelligence and character are pillars of a Westminster education and experience. They are embedded in Westminster’s learning goals, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and our values.
"Intelligence and character compel us to see the humanity in each of us, in all of its forms and expressions. When we choose to see, respect, and include the varieties of humanity where we learn, work, worship, pray, and love, we actualize Dr. King's vision of the Beloved Community,” said Dr. Tamara Stevenson, Chief Diversity Officer.
Every January, Westminster commits to a month of events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy that provides opportunities to connect and have conversations about diversity, community, and engagement.
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and March
Date: January 18, 2024
Time: 12–1:00 p.m.
Location: Richer Commons
Description: Join the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office to kick off Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Celebration Week. The Rally and March will be held on campus. There
will be short remarks to open the on-campus march. Refreshments to follow.
Unity Luncheon and Unsung Hero Awards
Date: January 26, 2024
Time: 12–1:30 p.m.
Location: Tanner Atrium, Jewett Center for the Performing Arts
Description: The Unity Luncheon is a part of the university’s annual Martin Luther
King Jr. Celebration Month. This event is designed for our campus community and community
partners to connect and converse about diversity, community, and engagement. Along
with presenting the Unsung Hero Awards, which recognizes campus and community members
who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion,
the program includes a speaker who delivers a mini-keynote, in which the speaker shares
how they have encountered and dealt with diversity in their life and how Dr. King's
work, philosophy, and legacy has influenced their life and career.
RSVP for the Unity Luncheon
Westminster University Day of Service MLK Celebration
Date: January 26, 2024
Time: 3–5:30 p.m.
Location: Bassis Center
Description: We will be hosting around 150 K-6 students from Promise South Salt Lake
schools and doing four activities with them while they are here. Each rotation will
last around 20-30 minutes. Typical activities include a science activity, a service
project, a dream activity, and an athletic activity.
MLK Bastian Diversity Lecture: Rosa Clemente, "Bodies on the Line"
Date: Wednesday January 31, 2024
Time: 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Location: Vieve Gore Concert Hall Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory
Description: Join the Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the MLK Bastian
Diversity Lecture: “Bodies on the line” with keynote speaker Rosa Clemente.
Register for the Bastian Lecture
For all media inquiries, contact Emily Samore, Director of Strategic Communications, by email (esamore@westminsteru.edu).
