Campus to celebrate the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 23

This service will focus on these words from Dr. King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Janel Shoun-Smith | 615-966-7078  |  01/15/2025

The Lipscomb University community will celebrate the Legacy and Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a special gathering of faculty and staff on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 10:50-11:50 a.m. in the George Shinn Center.

This year’s event will focus on these words from Dr. King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” The service will include a guest speaker, reflections from faculty, staff and students and a performance by Lipscomb’s Gospel Choir. 

John DeBerry, senior advisor to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, is the featured guest speaker for this year’s service, focusing on how King’s legacy of service applies to contemporary issues.

DeBerry represented the 90th House District of Tennessee from 1995 to 2020. He is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University and the University of Memphis and currently preaches at the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis.

He has a deep personal connection to the celebration of King’s legacy as he witnessed King’s final speech in Memphis before his 1968 assassination.
 

Also during the program, William Turner, special counsel to the president for diversity, belonging and unity,  will speak on King’s call to service and the emphasis on collective responsibility reflected in the chosen theme. In addition, members of the Lipscomb faculty will share how they have answered King’s call to community service, and members of the Lipscomb student body will perform in the Gospel Choir.

Lipscomb’s Martin Luther King Day activities will also include participation in the MLK Joint Day of Service, held on Jan. 25, with Lipscomb students, faculty and staff joining those from Nashville’s nine universities to serve throughout the city.

For more than a decade college students from Belmont, Fisk, Lipscomb, Meharry, Nashville State Community College, Tennessee State University, Trevecca and Vanderbilt, as well as other area colleges and universities have joined together in service to honor the life and legacy of MLK.

In addition, on Jan. 21, a special service will be held in The Gathering, weekly chapel service for the Lipscomb student body.

This year continues a long tradition of Lipscomb celebrating MLK Day. Past events have included community forums on social issues and diversity awareness, special appearances by Nashville’s civil rights icons and film showings.