ST. GEORGE — In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dixie State University is hosting a variety of activities including its Second Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, a campus beautification project and free admission to the DSU women’s and men’s basketball games.

The Dixie State campus will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but when students, faculty and staff return Tuesday, the Office of the President will host the Second Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Set to take place at noon in the Gardner Center Lounge, the event will feature a presentation from keynote speaker Pastor France Davis. As part of his inspiring and uplifting address, Davis will speak on his experiences of marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Davis is the vice chairman of the Utah State Board of Regents, the governing body for the Utah System of Higher Education, teaches communications and ethnic studies courses at the University of Utah and has served as the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City since 1974.

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only a time to remember the life and legacy of such a great man but also to serve those around us in a way that really honors what he ultimately gave his life to,” Christina Duncan, assistant director of DSU’s Multicultural-Diversity Center, said. “I hope this event inspires our community members to continue the service they are already doing. I also hope this event can highlight what it means to be Dixie State University.”

Immediately following Davis’ presentation, the university will host the dedication of a new monument to remember the life and legacy of King. At last year’s celebration, DSU President Dr. Richard B. Williams dedicated a new light post in honor of King, and the monument dedicated this year will build on that display. The event is free and open to all DSU students, faculty, staff and the community to attend.

Later that day, at 3 p.m., Dixie State’s Multicultural-Diversity Center and the Black Student Union will host a beautification project on campus. The organizations, with the help of faculty, staff and student volunteers, will create a memory garden by the Martin Luther King Jr. light post.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 18, the Athletic Department invites the entire community to cheer on the DSU women’s and men’s basketball teams as they take on Point Loma in the Burns Arena. Attendees will gain free admission and a free T-shirt while supplies last if they donate a nonperishable food item upon entry. All items will be donated to the DSU Student Food Pantry. The women’s tipoff is at 2 p.m., and the men’s game is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

For more information about DSU’s celebrations in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, contact Duncan by email.

Event details

• What: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
• When: Tuesday, Jan. 19, noon
• Where: Gardner Center Lounge,  225 S. 700 East, St. George

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews