Purdue to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. with concert by Morgan State University Choir

The renowned Morgan State University Choir will be the featured performers at Purdue’s annual commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. (Photo provided) Download image

Purdue University is proud to host its annual commemoration honoring the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. through a performance by the renowned Morgan State University Choir of Baltimore on Jan. 17.

This performance is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. ET in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse. The event will also include performances by the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and the Purdue Black Voices of Inspiration, as well as an acknowledgment of the Dreamer Award recipients and remarks by President Mung Chiang. Early online registration is recommended.

Purdue University takes pride in celebrating King’s legacy. This annual event is part of a larger effort to celebrate campus values such as respect and inclusion. Past presenters have included Pulitzer Prize nominee Wil Haygood; Indiana State Supreme Court Justice Robert Rucker; singer, songwriter, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte; former NAACP chairman and leader in the American civil rights movement Julian Bond; and the all-woman a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock.

The 2023 Dreamer Award will be presented by Purdue’s Office of the Vice President for Ethics and Compliance and recognizes individuals and organizations within the Purdue community whose contributions embody King’s vision of service to others and further the university’s commitment to diversity.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity Patrick Wolfe said: “We have a proud tradition of celebrating Dr. King’s legacy here on campus with our Monday Day of Service, and I’m also especially looking forward to Tuesday’s performance by our Morgan State partners and friends, as well as our chance to honor this year’s Dreamer Award recipients.”

John Gates, vice provost for diversity, inclusion and belonging, said: “This event — with its musical and collegiate atmosphere — is an avenue for us to celebrate Dr. King’s message. We look forward to this opportunity to gather and to connect to King’s legacy through song.”

Additional events are being planned across campus, including an annual day of service on Jan. 16 and a campus food drive supporting the ACE Campus Food Pantry. For more information on the events, visit https://lifeat.purdue.edu/mlk2023.