This is the seventh year Andrews University has philosophically planned a day "on," not a holiday "off," to commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday, Monday, January 21.  A committee of faculty, staff and students, chaired by English professor Joseph Warren, has planned a variety of experiences January 15-21, to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the legacy of Dr. King. The theme of this year’s events is "Blessed are the Peacemakers."

The campus will participate in various Co-Curricular Choices on the theme "Global Understanding and Leadership" on Tuesday, Jan. 15. 

On Thursday, Jan. 17, renowned activist, Sister Helen Prejean, author of the book Dead Man Walking, will address the University Forum at 10:30 a.m. in Pioneer Memorial Church. The book tells of her experience with a death row inmate, and how she comes to know the dismaying truth about the death penalty's disproportionate cost in money and resources, and how fragile and sometimes chaotic the justice system can be. Her experience soon leads her to ask: How can society benefit from replicating the violence it condemns?

Mosaic will take place Friday evening at 8 p.m. in the Seminary Chapel. New Life Fellowship will feature the oration of a sermon by Martin Luther King, "The Drum Major Instinct," with Seminary student Kietrich Germany as orator. The service will be held at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 11:20 a.m.  

A creative arts exposition of work by local public and private elementary and high schools will take place in the Howard Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 5 p.m. The artwork will illustrate the "Blessed are the Peacemakers" theme.

The Martin Luther King Convocation will be held at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Monday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 a.m. The convocation will feature keynote speaker Carolyn Shrock-Shenk, a professor in the Department of Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies at Goshen College. The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Awards will be presented at the convocation. Recipients are honored for their valuable contributions to the community. This year’s recipients are: Stella Greig of Andrews University; The Band of Brethren in Christ of Benton Harbor, Mich;  Lynn Gray, of Berrien Spring, Mich., receiving the President's Choice Freedom Award; Princella Tobias, founder/publisher of The Benton Spirit Community Newspaper, Benton Harbor, Mich; and David Brown and David Cooke of Great Lakes Eye Care, in St. Joseph, Mich.

A series of "Blessed are the Peacemakers" discussions will be held Monday afternoon in Garber Auditorium of Chan Shun Hall.  At 2 p.m., ACTION, a student-led social advocacy group will present "Peacemaking in Darfur: Challenges and Possibilities." At 3 p.m., Social Workers Acting Together (S.W.A.T.) will discuss "Individualistic Peace Initiatives." At 4 p.m., the Pre-Law Club will present "Spoofing or Suffering: the Power of Symbols."

All of the events are free and open to the public.