The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration is the longest running annual event at Oregon State University focused on social justice and transformative change.
Commemoration Objectives
- Learn about and reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. King and collaboratively envision ways to carry forward his work;
- Participate in an impactful, inclusive and engaging celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King; and
- Collaboratively learn about and reflect on the legacy of Dr. King in a way that is relevant in today's context.
Sponsored by Oregon State University, the Office of Institutional Diversity, and the OSU Foundation and Alumni Association.
Keynote Address: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Regretfully, the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Keynote with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor scheduled for Jan. 31 is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. We look forward to welcoming you to the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration.
Taylor is a 2021 MacArthur Foundation Fellow, and recently authored of “Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership.” Her talk is titled "The Radical King: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Quest to Reconstruct America".
Legacy Awards
Four legacy awards are awarded by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration committee – the Phyllis S. Lee Award, the Frances Dancy Hooks Award, the Oscar Humberto Montemayor Award and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Legacy Award.
We congratulate the 2024 award recipients.
Commemoration Week Events
An important part of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration are events envisioned by Oregon State community members to collaboratively learn about, reflect on and carry on the legacy of Dr. King. Departments, units, offices, organizations and individuals breathe life into the celebration by organizing events throughout the Commemoration to educate, engage and energize.
Event submissions for 2024 are now closed.
Peace Breakfast - Cancelled
The annual Peace Breakfast, held on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while honoring members of the Oregon State community who carry his message and work forward in the present. The Peace Breakfast is free and open to Oregon State University community members and specially invited guests.
The 2024 Peace Breakfast, scheduled for Jan. 15, is cancelled due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions. The Peace March scheduled to follow the Breakfast is also cancelled.
Recipients of the Legacy Awards will be announced soon. We look forward to sharing with you the nominees and highlighting the achievements of recipients. Look for details in the coming week.
Peace March - Cancelled
The 2024 Peace March, scheduled for Jan. 15, is cancelled due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions. The Peace Breakfast scheduled to precede the Breakfast is also cancelled.
An Oregon State University tradition, the Peace March follows the Breakfast and provides an opportunity to join in solidarity with community members and reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of creating transformative change through non-violence. Participants are led across the Corvallis campus on a 1-mile route, from the LaSells Stewart Center to conclude at the Memorial Union for speakers and community.
This event is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to bring signs enforcing Dr. King's messages of non-violence.