Purdue Northwest celebrates MLK Day 2024
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) hosted its annual MLK Day recognition through community conversations on social justice topics and volunteer service opportunities.
Ahead of the observed federal holiday, PNW hosted acclaimed author and cultural critic Kevin Powell as its keynote speaker. During his talk titled “Been to the Mountaintop: Dr. King and the Present and Future of Our World,” Powell encouraged audiences to “Read, Study, Travel” in order to glean knowledge and be exposed to different communities around the world. He emphasized, in turn, effective social justice requires genuine willingness to listen and showing love to others.
PNW community members also engaged in internal and external community service opportunities on Jan. 12 and the observed federal holiday on Jan. 15.
Read coverage of PNW’s MLK Day recognitions at the Hammond and Westville campuses here (some pieces may require a subscription to access behind a paywall):
For more information about PNW’s cultural heritage celebrations, visit the Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee’s website.
Photos from the Celebration
Darien Thompson, director of Student Success and Urban Engagement, gives opening remarks during PNW’s MLK Day recognition.
La Tonia Winston, center, director of PNW’s Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program, poses a question to keynote speaker Kevin Powell.
Gisele Casanova, interim chair of the Department of Psychology and associate professor of Psychology, helps lead a breakout community discussion.
Shontrai Irving, right, clinical associate professor of Business Law, leads students in a breakout discussion.