Hobart and William Smith Colleges will join the City of Geneva to honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a full day of community events on Monday, Jan. 19.
In partnership with the Geneva Martin Luther King Committee, the day will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a gathering at Bicentennial Park on Exchange Street, followed by the annual Memorial March to City Hall. Students, faculty, staff, and community members will march together, including HWS President Mark D. Gearan and other campus leaders.
At 11 a.m., a worship service will take place at St. John’s Chapel on the HWS campus. This marks the first time Hobart and William Smith have hosted Geneva’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Service. The service is free and open to the public.
President Gearan said hosting the event offers a chance to strengthen relationships both on campus and with the surrounding community. He said the college is honored to welcome Geneva residents for what he described as an important celebration of Dr. King’s legacy.
The service will open with remarks from the Rev. Nita Byrd, chaplain and dean of spiritual engagement at HWS. The keynote address, titled “Sustaining the Flame,” will be delivered by Thomas Warfield, director of dance at the Rochester Institute of Technology and founder of PeaceArt International.
The program will also include performances by the MLK Memorial Choir led by Patrisha Blue ’77. Winners of the annual MLK Art and Poetry Contest will be announced, highlighting work by Geneva youth inspired by Dr. King. Closing remarks will be given by Imam Shaheed Ali, director of the Muslim Life Center and advisor to the Muslim Student Association.
A public reception will follow immediately after the service in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Shuttle service will be available from City Hall to St. John’s Chapel.
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