Missouri Western State University will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with several activities the week of Jan. 18, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet on Wednesday, Jan. 20. In addition, Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president, will be speaking at a community forum on Martin Luther King Junior Day, Jan. 18.

The week’s activities include:

Monday, Jan. 18

  • MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center “Solutions Summit,” 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Salvation Army, 602 Messanie Street, St. Joseph, Missouri. Dr. Vartabedian will speak. Call 816-294-4727 or email visitmce@gmail.com for more information.
  • Missouri Western offices will be closed in observance of the federal holiday. The Walter Cronkite Memorial, in the atrium of Spratt Hall, will be open normal hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

  • Information booth with inspirational quotes, 11 a.m., Blum Union lobby

Wednesday, Jan. 20

  • MLK Banquet, 6 p.m., Enright Community Rooms, Spratt Hall rooms 214-216. The banquet will feature speaker Robert R. Warren ’95, praise dancing, singing, and the presentation of the 2016 Drum Major for Justice Awards. The banquet is free, but reservations must be made by Wednesday, Jan. 13. Please call 816-271-4150 or email cme@missouriwestern.edu. Nominations for the awards are also due by Jan. 13. Visit http://griff.vn/MLKnominate to submit a nomination.

Thursday, Jan. 21

  • “Selma, Lord, Selma” movie screening, 6 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall, room 101. A story about two African-American girls who participate in the Voting Rights Act march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Popcorn will be provided.

Friday, Jan. 22

  • Candlelight vigil, 7 p.m., Kelley Commons (west side of Blum Student Union), hosted by the Black Student Union.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.