Tennessee Tech University will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of programming and service opportunities beginning Monday, Jan. 20. The events are organized by Tech’s Office of Intercultural Affairs.

“Dr. King’s message and principles are as relevant and needed today as ever,” said Charria Campbell, director of Intercultural Affairs. “We are fortunate to have many people on our campus who are dedicated to keeping his legacy alive here in the Upper Cumberland and upholding the ideals he lived by and taught us.”

On Monday, Jan. 20, there are no classes and campus offices are closed in observance of the federal holiday. The Tech community is invited to join a day of service organizing and restocking the Tech Food Pantry from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., located in Tech Village at 910 N. Willow Ave. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt. Campus and community members can sign up to participate at https://signup.com/go/jAXtkZi.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the university will continue its week of events with the annual silent march led by Tech’s Omicron Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – the same fraternity that Dr. King pledged in 1952 as a student at Boston University.

“The silent march is one of those things that our Alpha Phi Alpha student chapter started years ago and it’s been powerful to see their commitment over time,” said Campbell. “It’s special that we have a chapter of Dr. King’s fraternity here on our campus.”

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the campus community is invited to take part in a “Food Pantry Hygiene Drive Day,” in which donations will be accepted in designated boxes on the first floor of the Roaden University Center and across other campus buildings.

While donations are accepted all week long, Campbell hopes the special day will bring added visibility to this opportunity to help Tech students in need. Suggested items for donations include soap, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, shaving items, laundry items, tissue and cleaning products.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the university will conclude its series of events with a candlelight vigil beginning at 6 p.m. in the Tech Pride Room of the Roaden University Center. The event will feature reflections from Tech students and staff and a musical performance from Tech’s student-led United Voices of Praise gospel choir. Refreshments will be provided.

Campbell explains that, while the annual events make for a busy season for her office, the cause is deeply worthwhile.

“It is a labor of love, for sure,” said Campbell. “And we have great support and partnerships from all of our sister offices throughout the Division of Student Affairs, as well as the Office of Access, Belonging and Community Outreach, Tech faculty, and even external partners like [local nonprofit] IMPACT Cookeville."

Campbell added, “We also appreciate the support of the President’s Office each year to continue hosting an impactful week to honor Dr. King’s legacy.”

More than marking a holiday on the calendar, Campbell says the annual events are designed to “engage the community, focus on service and address real needs here in our region.”

“It’s about serving each other, loving each other and thinking about what sisterhood and brotherhood really means,” she concluded.

Learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations at Tech at www.tntech.edu/intercultural/events.php.