Baylor and Waco Commemorate MLK Day with University, Community Events

Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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***Due to the expected freezing weather on MLK Day, Monday's Candlelight Vigil has been moved to coincide with the wreath-laying ceremony at noon today (Friday, Jan. 17) at MLK Memorial Park, 100 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Waco.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Every year, Americans answer this call by coming together on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service – this year on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 – to serve their neighborhoods and communities and through events celebrating the life and legacy of the late civil rights leader. The Baylor University and Waco communities will join others across the nation to participate in multiple events honoring Dr. King.

For more information on MLK and other observances throughout the year, please visit the Department of Multicultural Affairs website.

2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events

Jan. 13-27, 2025

I HAVE A DREAM WEEK: Baylor Law School is hosting I Have a Dream Week from Jan. 13-17, 2025, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Through engaging discussions, events and community-building activities, Baylor Law School invites students, faculty and staff to join in honoring the transformative impact of Dr. King's life and work.

Friday, Jan. 17, 2025

***WREATH LAYING CEREMONY: The 39th Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at noon at MLK Memorial Park, 100 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Individuals may bring a wreath to place at the MLK monument, following the program. ***Due to the expected freezing weather on MLK Day, Monday's Candlelight Vigil has been moved to coincide with the wreath-laying ceremony at noon today (Friday, Jan. 17) at MLK Memorial Park, 100 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Waco.

BAYLOR ATHLETICS: Baylor Women's Basketball will play the University of Houston at 6 p.m. in Foster Pavilion, the team’s annual MLK Remembrance & We Back Pat game.

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025

UNIVERSITY HOLIDAY: Baylor University offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The spring semester begins Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

PEACE MARCH: Participants in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace March will gather at 8:30 a.m. at Indian Spring Park, 101 N. University Parks Drive, Waco, with the walk beginning at 9:30 a.m. from downtown Waco across the Suspension Bridge to Bridge Street. The Peace March is hosted by the Zeta Upsilon Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the Gamma Omicron Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. 

GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA: Following the march, the Gospel Extravaganza will begin at 11 a.m. at Doris Miller Recreation Center, hosted by the Zeta Upsilon Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the Gamma Omicron Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. 

FREE ADMISSION TO MAYBORN: The Mayborn Museum is offering free admission on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Bring your family and friends to explore the museum and reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and his impact on our community and beyond.

CARILLON RECITAL: University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will play a Carillon Recital in honor of Dr. King at noon on the McLane Carillon in the tower of Pat Neff Hall. The recital is free and open to the public, and guests are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets to listen to the concert on the grounds around Pat Neff. Geary will play a host of selections, including “I’ll Overcome Some Day,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Woke Up This Morning with My Mind [Stayed] on Freedom,” “Precious Lord” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

SHARE THE DREAM: Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Share the Dream event, beginning with a panel discussion from 4 to 5 p.m. in Truett room 107 on the "Life, Ministry and Legacy of MLK." The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Stephen B. Reid, vice provost for faculty diversity and belonging at Baylor and professor of Christian Scriptures at Truett Seminary.

SHARE THE DREAM WORSHIP SERVICE: At 7 p.m., Truett Seminary will hold a Worship Service in the Paul W. Powell Chapel. Music will be led by Rev. Dr. Stephen Newby, The Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship and professor of music at Baylor, with the message shared by Rev. Dr. Tyshawn Gardner, associate professor of preaching at Truett Seminary.

Both Share the Dream events will be available to view live on Truett Seminary Facebook page.

***CANDLELIGHT VIGIL: The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Vigil will be held at 6 p.m. at the Waco Suspension Bridge and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 300 MLK Jr. Blvd., Waco, Texas.  Participants are asked to bring a candle for the ceremony. ***Due to the expected freezing weather on MLK Day, Monday's Candlelight Vigil has been moved to coincide with the wreath-laying ceremony at noon today (Friday, Jan. 17) at MLK Memorial Park, 100 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Waco.

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025

*MLK CELEBRATION LUNCHEON: The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon, hosted by the Department of Multicultural Affairs at Baylor University, will be held at the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center on the Baylor University campus. *Note: Registration for this event is now closed. 

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025

MLK WEEK - LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR, FIND YOUR PLACE TO SERVE: Baylor University's Department of Missions, Service and Public Life will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service with a tabling event for Baylor students seeking service opportunities on campus and in the Waco community from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB).  Come by to find your place to serve or contact us to set up a call to find an opportunity that fits your skills, interests and schedule.

Friday, Jan. 24, 2025

THRIVE LECTURE SERIES: Baylor's Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFSA) will host the Thrive Lecture Series: Faculty - Agents for Change, at 2:30 p.m. in Barfield Drawing Room in the Bill Daniel Student Center.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.