With his words, “I have a dream…” still reverberating in the minds of all Americans, the Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, ISE, hosted a program honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and achievements on Thursday, January 22 in LRTUC.

“In past years, it has typically been more vigil-like, with candles and quiet reflection. This year, we did a celebration, with the message ‘What are you a drum major for?’” Molly Berry, director of ISE, said. “In his last sermon, he talks about the drum major instinct. He asks [that] if you can stand out for something, why not it be peace and justice?”

With over one hundred people in attendance, seating was limited with Berry saying that they ran out of chairs. The event was set up in two rooms: the East room and the Parquet room.

In the East room, there was a timeline of King’s life, as well as a national timeline and a Millikin University event timeline. These timelines enabled students to see what else was going on in the world and compare it with King’s life and accomplishments. There were also iPads set up where people could learn about different things from his life.

In the Parquet room, there were chairs for people to sit in while Terrance Hodges, a senior theater major, reenacted the last sermon that King gave. “We also gave students an opportunity to speak about why they came and what they want to be known for,” Berry said.

“The sermon [that the event was based on] was written and delivered fifty years ago, but it is still so relevant today,” Berry said. “We still have racial tensions, national turmoil, problems with wealth and poverty and terrorism. All of these things still plague us today.”

The event was intended for people to think about their own lives and the choices they make, as well as the impact King still currently has. “He was a man, too,” Berry said. “He had children, a family. I just kept thinking, ‘What if I were to be arrested?’ I feel like it would be devastating. It seems so tragic and embarrassing, but he got arrested multiple times, and he wasn’t embarrassed. He was so invested in his cause, and was dedicated to it no matter what.”

The nature of the event changes each year, depending on what direction the students planning it want to take it. Berry continues to respect the students’ vision, and supports whatever will draw people in and incite interest. “My favorite part [of the event this year] was the fact that we had faculty, staff and students [in attendance]. There are so many different people who admire what King did. It speaks to everyone.”