On November 2, 1983, former President Ronald Reagan signed into law House of Representatives Bill Number 3706 declaring January 15, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a national holiday.
In December 1985, former Penn State President Bryce Jordan formed a President’s planning committee for Martin Luther King, Jr. recognition. Dr. James B. Stewart, director of the Black Studies Program at that time, served as the inaugural chair. The official recognition of this holiday began in 1986, and occurs on the third Monday in January each year.
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929, the second of three children. Early in his life, Reverend King recognized the evils of segregation and racial prejudice. He was an outstanding student throughout his years in school and went on to receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree in June of 1951. In a speech given during the ceremonies at the White House when Reverend King’s birthday became a recognized national holiday, Mrs. King touched the heart of our nation as she summarized her husband’s life: “In his own life’s example, he symbolized what was right about America, what was noblest and best, what human beings have loved unconditionally. He was in constant pursuit of truth, and when he discovered it, he embraced it. His nonviolent campaigns brought about redemption, reconciliation and justice.” America is a more democratic nation, a more just nation, a more peaceful nation because Martin Luther King, Jr. became her preeminent nonviolent commander.
The Student Committee is composed of all University Park Penn State students and is in the Office of Student Activities.
2020-2021 Student Committee:
MaKayla Ashe- Executive Director
R’Aysa Philbert- Day of Service Director
Mimi Boone & Uchenna Nwodim- Community and Campus Outreach Directors
Damian Archer & Jordan Diamond- Campus Events Directors
Nyla Holland- Public Relations Director
2019-2020 Student Committee:
Nyla Holland- Executive Director
Tia Walker & Makayla Ashe- Day of Service Directors
Taylor Williams & Hind Abuzaid- Community and Campus Outreach Directors
Haniel Tracey & Jamihl Braimah- Campus Events Directors
Delicia Daniels- Public Relations Director
2018-2019 Student Committee:
Executive Director- Awaly Diallo
Day of Service Directors- Taylor Fellenz, Bailey Spates & Joel Sakyi
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Nyla Holland & Tia Dowling
Campus Events Directors- Indyha Fielder, Arielle Djokota & Tatiana Hill
Public Relations Director- Varsha Balasubramanian & Omou Barry
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2017-2018 Student Committee
Executive Director- Symone McCollum
Day of Service Directors- Emily Tegland, Wendell Cupid & Sheridan Dade
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Brian Davis
Campus Events Directors- Bana Kaleab & Yumna Ahmed
Public Relations Director- Rosalyn Guest & Xianli Fu
2016-2017 Student Committee
Executive Director- Cameron Spiller
Day of Service Directors- Anika Jannat & Karina Soto
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Abdulrahman AL-kaf & Wenxin Tong
Campus Events Directors- Elizabeth Hopta & Symone McCollum
Evening Celebration Director- Brian Davis
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2015-2016 Student Committee
Executive Director- Ashley Walker
Day of Service Directors- Keisha Weeks & Lauren Snyder
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Faye McMillan & Jeanine Askew
Campus Events Directors- Latasha Stephenson & Jael Charles
Evening Celebration Director- Kayla Shelton-Burleigh & Rhoda K. Moise
Public Relations Director- Amira Gay & Ebony Turner
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2014-2015 Student Committee
Executive Director- Lerell Richards
Day of Service Directors- Dayanna Reeves & Rhonda Bates
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Kiena Williams & Charnice Culmer
Campus Events Directors- Yvonne Winborne & Dominique Scott
Evening Celebration Directors- LeShae Daniel & Jael Charles
Public Relations Director- Ashley Walker
Finance Director- Amani Harris & Stephan Nguepdo
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2013-2014 Student Committee
Executive Director- Ashley Hidalgo
Day of Service Directors- Kiona Dyches
Community and Campus Outreach Directors- Sean Hillas
Campus Events Directors- Andrea Hernandez
Evening Celebration Director- Giovanna Rodney
Public Relations Director- Lerell Richards
Finance Director- Aziza Sumler