ROCK HILL, S.C. — Winthrop University will observe the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this month with a week-long series of events grounded in artistic expression, storytelling, and community service.
Running from January 19-23, the celebration will feature a diverse lineup of dance, visual art, vocal performances, and film. The week is being coordinated by Collins Cornwell, director of student conduct with the Office of the Dean of Students, who emphasized the unique approach of using the arts to reflect on civil rights history.
“We will honor Dr. King’s legacy while creating space for reflection, creativity, and collective action,” Cornwell said. “We will appreciate Dr. King’s contributions to history through art.”
The university has observed MLK Day as a day of celebration, remembrance, and service since 2000. While there will be no classes and university offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of the federal holiday, the campus will remain active with student-led events.
Schedule of Events
The week’s itinerary includes several “approved cultural events” for students, offering opportunities for both academic credit and personal enrichment.
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Monday, Jan. 19 (MLK Day): The week kicks off with a Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m. in Dina’s Place (DiGiorgio Campus Center). Organized by the Xi Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the event will feature guest speaker Jacobe Reid, a fraternity member and teacher at Chester Middle School.
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Tuesday, Jan. 20: The Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Undance” at 11 a.m. in the Johnson Theatre. This collaborative performance features work from student choreographers and dancers.
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Wednesday, Jan. 21: The DiGiorgio Student Union will host a screening of the film “Sinners” at 7 p.m. in Dina’s Place. Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, the supernatural horror film explores themes of sin, legacy, and oppression against the backdrop of 1930s Mississippi.
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Thursday, Jan. 22: The Winthrop Chorale and Winthrop Chamber Singers will perform “The Sound of a Dream” at 11 a.m. in Dina’s Place.
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Friday, Jan. 23: The week concludes with a focus on shared responsibility through a Campus Clean-up from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Residence Life, volunteers will meet at The Edge in the DiGiorgio Campus Center to help maintain the campus grounds.
Community Impact
The programming is designed not only to look back at history but to reinforce the university’s ongoing commitment to service. By ending the week with a campus clean-up, organizers hope to translate the week’s artistic reflection into tangible community care.
For more information regarding specific venues or participation requirements, students and community members are encouraged to contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
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