Annual MLK Community Celebration and Awards Dinner Jan. 19

The University community is invited to the Annual MLK Community Celebration and Awards Dinner hosted by the Greater Scranton MLK Commission to honor the life, message and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The dinner will be held Sunday, Jan. 19, beginning at 2 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center 407.

The Office of Community Relations and Multicultural Center are sponsoring tables for faculty, staff and students to attend. Anyone interested in attending, please contact julie.cohen@scranton.edu or jose.sanchez@scranton.edu. Greater Scranton community members may purchase tickets to the event by visiting https://safdn.org/mlk-event/.

The theme for the 2025 event is Give Love! Spread Love! Be Love! "You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"This special evening will honor the enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., celebrating his message of love, service, and unity," said Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at The University of Scranton. 

Featured keynote speaker is Dr. Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, vice provost for faculty development at Virginia Union University and professor of education and psychology. His presentation will focus on "insights on how love can spark meaningful change in our communities," said Cohen.

An academic at heart, he serves as professor, center director and principal investigator with an unapologetic commitment to conducting, marshalling and translating scientific research for the purposes of advancing equity, removing systemic injustices and improving the material conditions of our most vulnerable populations in society. He is president and CEO of Do Good Work Consulting Group, leading a team team of hundreds of colleges and universities, districts and agencies, in moving the needle on diversity equity and inclusion and belonging outcomes for staff and students.

Strayhorn has published 12 books and over 200+ book chapters journal articles and other scholarly publications. He believes strongly in connecting research findings to addressing broader social problems and putting research to practice. Thus, he frequently writes op-eds, letters to editors and blogs. He is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, All Business, Thrive Global and Psychology Today.

"The evening will also include an awards ceremony to honor individuals and organizations that embody Dr. King's ideals of justice, equality, and compassion," said Cohen.