Representatives of multiple offices around the KSU campus stand with wreaths they laid at a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (Nick McNamara/KMAN)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Kansas State University on Jan. 19, 1968 where he spoke to a crowd of 7,000 at Ahearn Field House about racial inequality in the United States and advocating non-violent actions to bring about change. Many from K-State and the community came out to keep his memory alive at a wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. King outside of Ahearn Friday.
The ceremony capped off a week full of observances around campus and was preceded by a procession leading from the Multicultural Student Organization Office, through the University Student Union Courtyard, before arriving at the bust.
Dr. Debra Bolton speaks at a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (Nick McNamara/KMAN)
Multiple speakers gave remarks about the legacy and message of Dr. King. Dr. Debra Bolton, director of intercultural learning and academic success, spoke of Dr. King’s belief that a person is truly measured based on where they stand in difficult times.
“Dr. King emphasized If we are to have peace on Earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional,” says Bolton. “Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nations — and this means we must develop a world perspective.”
Dr. Adrian Rodriguez gives the opening remarks at a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (Nick McNamara/KMAN)
Dr. Adrian Rodriguez, associate vice president for student life of diversity and multicultural student affairs, says the week is not only about remembrance.
“It is also about what we do today, continuing to lead and champion his cause, to make our community and our country a more just place for all of its people — that is the ultimate tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Dr. Bryan Samuel makes the closing remarks at a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. (Nick McNamara/KMAN)
Rodriguez says to see the wreath laying as more than a tribute, but also a commitment to live up to Dr. King’s ideal and work to make the university and beyond a better place. Dr. Bryan Samuel, chief diversity and inclusion officer, echoed the words of Dr. King that “the greatest thing we can do as human beings is to do something for others,” and asked the crowd what their reason for living is.
“Perhaps it’s hunger, perhaps it’s education, perhaps it’s social justice perhaps it is economic deprivation — so many things to chose from,” says Samuel. “What will be your individual contribution to the life, work and legacy of Dr. King? What will be our collective contribution to the life, the work and the legacy of Dr. King?”
Samuel also says the week’s events were unlike any of the 5 other campuses he’s been on, which spent one day of reflection on Dr. King. The Kappa Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha also took part in the ceremony. Dr. King joined the Sigma chapter of the fraternity while attending Boston University in 1952. Their chaplain, Kemondre Taylor, recited the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henry before he and fellow Alpha Phi Alpha brothers sang the Alpha Hymn.
“As we conclude this university-wide MLK week of observance, I hope all of us will continue the work and strive toward the values of that of Brother King gave his life for and that we remember to never lose hope,” Taylor says.
The keynote speaker was Dr. David Griffin Sr., former assistant dean of K-State’s College of Education and director of the Center for Student Success and Professional Services. He spoke of Dr. King’s legacy and recited some quotes by and about Dr. King that exemplified his beliefs and commitment to fighting injustice and called on those listen to live up to the nation’s creed.
“If we are going to honor Dr. King’s legacy, then we must — we must — by our actions, adhere to the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi when he said ‘we must be the change we wish to see in the world,” says Griffin. “We must do that with non-violence, we must do that with love, we must do that even in suffering.”
He went on to paraphrase the words of former President John F. Kennedy that Dr. King’s “unfinished work on Earth must truly become ours.”
The ceremony ended with the K-State clocktower tolling the tune of the song We Shall Overcome.
Standing among the crowd was Riley County Police Department Director Dennis Butler. Butler was a child in the 1960s and says he was “somewhat secluded from what was going on in the world” as he grew up living on military bases.
“I think it’s really important for us in the community to never really forget what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for, what he meant to our society in terms of making us aware of the injustices that have been occurring ever since the formation of this country,” says Butler.
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