Colleges and universities across the country are preparing to celebrate the legacy of a civil rights icon who championed integration and transformed America’s
Rev. Dr. Forrest M. Pritchett
Every third Monday in January, millions of Americans pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and this year is no different. In fact, some college leaders say that with the continued attack on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, now is the time more than ever to remember King’s contributions.
Seton Hall University in New Jersey, decided to revamp their annual MLK program a few years ago, citing the need for change amid a challenging political climate.
The college now commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through the Martin Luther King Day symposium, an academic credit workshop where both students can earn academic or continuing education credits for their participation in the event. The course is offered at no additional cost, regardless of a student’s credit load.
“After the election of 2016 we thought America needed an upgrade,” said Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett, who directs the university’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Program and Gospel Choir. “We thought it could be an educational moment and that it's about time that we move away from what we might call our assumptions about things and get to the real nitty gritty of what makes America tick.”
Pritchett said that the school’s annual MLK celebration is rooted in a tradition dating back to 1970, and added that the MLK Leadership Program at Seton Hall integrates current events with a focus on servant leadership, Africana Studies, and fostering a historical understanding of King’s enduring legacy. This year’s event will include a keynote speech by Dr. Drew G.I. Hart, an associate professor of theology and program director of Thriving Together: Congregations for Racial Justice at Messiah University.
