Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

For 36 years, Michigan Tech has honored and celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a man who refused to sit idly by while he and others were treated less than, who brought people together to fight for justice and equality. Dr. King is most recognized for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience and as a national icon in the history of American progressivism.

Schedule of Events

The 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will take place Monday, January 19, 2026, centered on this year’s theme:

United Through Service

Events leading up to and surrounding MLK Day focus on art, service, reflection, and community-building. Explore opportunities below and save the date for this year’s celebration.

Preparation and Beyond

Craft Day Workshop, Jan 16

TBD, 5 p.m.-8p.m.
The Black Student Association will host a poster-making session for students to prepare works for display at the Van Pelt and Opie Library for MLK and Black History Month art exhibits.

Student Art Exhibit, Jan. 16–26

Van Pelt and Opie Library
Students are invited to submit digital or physical artwork inspired by Dr. King. Select pieces may also be featured during the MLK Dinner.

Day of Service

Reading Day, Student Service Project, Jan 19, '26

Local elementary schools, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Michigan Tech will support the local elementary school students by reading a MLK book to students around the community.

Service Projects Across the Keweenaw

Various Locations, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to engage in service projects across the community.
Volunteer registration will be available via GivePulse.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan 19, '26

Interfaith Prayer Service

Van Pelt and Opie Library, 4:15 p.m.
The Van Pelt and Opie Library will host a Prayer Service where religious communities on campus alongside individuals will read excerpts from Dr. King's works.

We welcome volunteers at this event to share the messages of MLK and how they relate to their own beliefs.

Peace March

Starting at the Husky Statue, 5:00 p.m.
Join us for a peaceful march to commemorate the work and marches of Dr. King.

MLK Dinner

MUB Ballroom, 5:30 p.m.
Join us for free food, live music from the Workshop Brass Band, and our Keynote panel.

This event is open to all, students and community members alike.

Keynote Panelists

Jemel Thompson

A Detroit native, servant leader, and community developer, Jemel works diligently to have a positive impact on the world and his community. His time at Michigan Tech was overflowing with campus involvement with some of his notable experiences including researching in the Surface Water Quality lab, working as Curriculum Assistant for Residence Education, and serving as a President for the Society of African American Men. Since earning his degree, Jemel has worked as an Environmental Engineer working on environmental site investigation, remediation, and compliance projects throughout the Midwest. He has even served as a Leader Team Director for the Community Collaboration on Climate Change where he worked on the City of Grand Rapids first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Currently Jemel works at Fishbeck as a Water Resources Engineer on projects that include hydraulic modeling, river restoration, and hydrogeomorphic studies. While still serving his community by being Chapter Historian for the Grand Rapids chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and participating in other social and environmental justice efforts. His work blends technical expertise & community impact while he champions sustainable growth & environmental stewardship to strengthen the connection between people & nature.

Jailynn Johnson

Jailynn Johnson is a Detroit native who graduated from MTU in December of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematical Sciences. During her time at Tech, she was a Pavlis Honors College student, President of the Black Students’ Association, and a Resident Assistant. Today, she is a R&D chemist for Sherwin-Williams in Minneapolis, MN and pursuing a master’s in Industrial Engineering at the University of Central Florida. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, roller skating, team sports, and watching documentaries.

Austin McFarlane

Austin McFarlane is a Civic Engagement Liaison at Linc Up dedicated to strengthening community connections, empowering citizens, and advancing inclusive public participation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Scientific and Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University in the spring of 2024, where he also served as a McNair Scholar, Resident Assistant, and Success Coach. During his time at Michigan Tech, Austin developed a strong foundation in research, leadership, and public service, contributing to projects that centered on social equity, community development, and the improvement of civic processes.
In his current role, Austin works to bridge the gap between community members and the institutions that serve them, helping organizations foster accessible, meaningful, and equitable engagement. He is passionate about creating spaces where all voices can be heard and ensuring that civic systems reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities they represent.

Bayard Rustin Award

In 2019, NSBE began the tradition of awarding the Bayard Rustin Award to a servant leader on campus during the annual MLK reception. This award honors a servant leader who is often behind the scenes making significant strides and recognizes them publicly for their commitment. Bayard Rustin acted as an influential adviser "behind the scenes" to civil-rights leaders. He worked along Dr. King and helped organize Freedom Rides and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rustin also served as an organizer for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. On November 20, 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Past Recipients

2023 - Christopher Sanders

"I am honored and humbled to receive the Bayard Rustin Award from the Michigan Technological University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. Since starting here at MTU, our community - and especially our students - have gone out of their way to ensure that I felt welcome on campus. I appreciate each of you and thank you for always letting me know that I am a valued member of our Husky Family. A special thank you to the students who nominated me for this award. I am deeply grateful for your kind words."

2021 - Joseph Cooper

Joe Cooper holding the 2021 Bayard Rustin Award

"It's such an honor to have been awarded the Bayard Rustin Award by the National Society of Black Engineers at Michigan Tech, especially during the 2020-2021 year which brought continued challenges for our campus community. Much of Rustin's work with Dr. King and other civil rights leaders took place behind the scenes, and his impact was invaluable. As a white cisgender man at Michigan Tech, I recognize my privilege and my responsibility to continue to remove barriers and advance the campus climate so that all members of our community feel safe, valued, and a strong sense of belonging. I want to thank NSBE and all BIPOC members of our campus community for all the work and labor they continue to put in to make our college a better place. We all need to do our part so that this labor is not falling only on BIPOC folks."

2020 - Karen Wade

Karen Wade standing with students in NSBE

"I am deeply grateful to be a part of the diversity and inclusion efforts at Michigan Tech. I work in an amazing environment and get to see our awesome students every day. I learn so much from them and I enjoy having them in my life. It is a pleasure to help our students succeed and to be a part of creating a welcoming, inclusive and safe environment. This award means the world to me and I feel very honored to have been chosen."

2019 - Darnishia Slade

Dar Slade holding the 2019 Bayard Rustin Award

"I'm still floored about winning the Bayard Rustin award. Ya know that phrase, do what you would do when no one's looking? For me to get the award from the students was the highest compliment and really powerful for me.
I currently work in Pavlis Honors College, and it's a lot of fun. In my 13-plus years at Michigan Tech, I can't remember the last time I worked. There are long days, hard days, and difficult days, but I can't remember the last time I worked. It never feels like work for me. I get all of my energy from students. I feel like I secretly get more than I give (laughs). I learn so much, and I'm always challenged in new and different ways. Higher ed is my calling in life; I love being on a college campus. There's always something going on, something to do, something to think about, something to dialogue about. I'm also one of the advisors for the Society of Intellectual Sisters (SIS) and I was a member when I was a student here. I'm very passionate about it, so I continue to serve in that capacity with the young ladies.
I'm working on a degree, studying mental toughness and persistence. I'm living it and studying it (laughs). A lot of mental toughness and persistence has been studied in top performing athletes or the military. Bringing it into an academic context is pretty cool. The big juicy question is how can we get away from 'oh, they have the right GPA or the right SAT score.' There's just so much more to people that causes them to be successful and I think we just need to look at that a little more. The reason why I am getting the PhD is to be at the table, to be a voice for people who don't have a voice at the table; so it's bigger than me. I do believe there's a level of influence that happens from being at the right table.
I always say 'you don't go through Michigan Tech, Michigan Tech goes through you,' and it is truly an experience. I want to pay it forward every day. The experiences and the support I had as a Michigan Tech student transformed my life."
For more about Darnishia and her award, visit mtu.news/slade-award .