(Posted January 12, 2024)

HUNTINGDON, Pa.— In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juniata College students, faculty, and staff will engage in service and educational activities to reflect on his life. Congress designated the day as a National Day of Service, “a day on, not a day off.” 

The Juniata College community will spend Monday, January 15, volunteering at 16 locations in Huntingdon, Mount Union, and Alexandria. They will be painting, cleaning, organizing, baking, tree trimming, and more.  

“Participating in acts of direct service throughout the county helps Juniata students and employees to build and strengthen relationships and develop a deeper understanding of the good and important work that so many of our local community partners are doing every day,” said Sarah Worley, professor of communication and director of community-engaged learning. “Inspired by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief in the power of service and community engagement, we hope that these relationships provide a foundation on which we can continue working together towards a more just and equitable society for all.” 

On Tuesday, January 16, the first day of classes, Juniata College will hold its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation at 5 p.m. Dr. Wilson Okello, assistant professor of education and research associate at Penn State University, will be the keynote speaker. The convocation will take place in Rosenberger Auditorium at the Halbritter Center for the Performing Arts.  

"Dr. Wilson is a great scholar, motivator, and leader whose work seeks to make everyone free,” said Derek A. James, dean of equity, diversity, and inclusion. “I look forward to hearing his words of wisdom as we enter into the year 2024 and reflect on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." 

Okello is an artist and interdisciplinary scholar who has published over 40 scholarly publications in venues including the Journal of College Student Development, Race, Ethnicity and Education, and the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. He is co-editor of “Trauma-informed practice in student affairs: Multidimensional considerations for care, healing, and wellbeing,” a New Directions for Student Services volume (Wiley Press), and author of a forthcoming text with SUNY Press that explores the potential of centering Blackness in student development theory. He received the 2022 Council on Ethnic Participation (CEP) Mildred Garcia Award for Exemplary Scholarship by the Association for the Study of Higher Education. He was named a 2022 Emerging Scholar by the American College Personnel Association. 

Grant funding to support Juniata College’s Day of Service activities was provided through Partners for Campus Community Engagement (PCEE) with funding from AmeriCORPS. 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.