NIU’s 2014 MLK Service Week will take place the week of Jan. 21.
The week will promote civic reflection, community service, equality and diversity awareness throughout campus and in the community.
Members of NIU’s MLK Week of Service planning committee were awarded the MLK Day of Service Collegiate Challenge grant for $1,200 from Illinois Campus Compact.
In preparation: Week of Jan. 13
NIU students will have the opportunity to write down their dreams for diversity and equity in society on a “Dream Wall.”
Made up of seven separate pieces placed at various campus locations, the wall will be reconnected the following week to make one large structure where students can come together and reflect.
Technical Director Jake Harbour, designer Jaclyn Zimmerman and students from the School of Theatre and Dance participated in the construction of the wall.
Location of wall panels:
- Monday to noon Wednesday: Residence Halls
- Noon Wednesday through Friday: Diversity Centers, Military Student Services, Off-Campus Non-Traditional Student Office and the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL).
- Week of Jan. 21 through Jan. 24: Holmes Student Center Glass Gallery
Huskie Service Scholars are creating biographies on courageous civil rights leaders or individuals who created a positive impact on society. The biographies will be displayed in the HSC.
The Martin Luther King Jr. March, held in observance of his birthday, will step off outside of Stevenson North at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. The march is sponsored by the NAACP.
Later, a Civic Reflection Discussion will encourage participants to reflect upon the King legacy. Sponsored by OSEEL, the discussion takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Diversity and Equity centers on campus will unite from noon to 3 p.m. in the HSC Glass Gallery to provide information to students on services available on campus to them.
From 5 to 7 p.m. that evening, NIU students will volunteer at Feed’em Soup, 122 S. First St. in DeKalb, on the MLK-themed evening. They will assist in the preparation of the meal and serve community members. NIU student musicians will provide the entertainment for the evening. NGOLD is the sponsor.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, the campus community is invited to enjoy part of the PBS documentary, “The March,” from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Center for Black Studies.
Meanwhile, winners of MLK Art Project and essay contest from high schools and middle schools in DeKalb and Sycamore will present their winning pieces. Both contests focus on the 1963 March on Washington and/or the fight for freedom and justice.
Interested in participating in any of these events? Contact Lucero Martinez at lmartinez4@niu.edu for more information.