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: Ruha Benjamin
Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.
LaSells Stewart Center, Corvallis
Hybrid event at OSU Portland Center
Livestream available
Ruha Benjamin is the Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, founding director of the Ida B. Wells JUST Data Lab. She is author of the award-winning book “Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code” and “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want”, the 2023 winner of the Stowe Prize, among many other publications.
Her work investigates the social dimensions of science, medicine and technology with a focus on the relationship between innovation and inequity, health and justice, knowledge and power.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for in-person and livestream.
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.
Nominations for 2025 are due Dec. 6, 2024. Recipients will be announced at the Peace Breakfast on Jan. 20.
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 will be accepted until Friday, Dec, 20, 2024.
Peace Breakfast
Monday, Jan. 20
9 to 10:30 a.m.
CH2M HILL Alumni Center, Corvallis
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.
Peace March
Monday, Jan. 20
11 a.m. to noon
CH2M HILL Alumni Center to Student Experience Center Plaza
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 CH2M HILL Alumni Center to conclude at the Student Experience Center Plaza 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.