January 15, 2021

Centenary University Plans Service Opportunities to Honor the Legacy of
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Virtual service opportunities will complement other on-campus events including a remembrance display, movies, and other student activities.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, Jan. 15, 2021—Centenary University students will honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. with a day of service featuring virtual opportunities for students to serve the local community. Other events hosted by the University on Monday, Jan. 18—the first day of the spring semester—will include a remembrance display with materials provided by Taylor Memorial Library in the Sunken Lounge, a rotating video display of movies and Dr. King’s speeches in the Multicultural Center, and other socially-distanced student events. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, community visitors are not permitted to attend.

Virtual service opportunities, conducted in partnership with Jersey Cares, will reinforce Dr. King’s commitment to community improvement, according to Rachel Danitz, Centenary University’s community engagement coordinator. “At Centenary, we emphasize to students that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not a day off,” Danitz explained. “It’s a day on to volunteer to make life better for residents of our local communities.”

Activities coordinated through Jersey Cares will include a Virtual Senior Reading Series for students to entertain shut-ins and older adults by recording readings of stories and novels; an initiative for students to create safety signage for New Jersey schools; the creation of electronic cards and virtual activity packs for seniors, teachers, and first responders; and a virtual walk to support the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

Other activities at Centenary University to mark the day will include a trivia event centered on the life and triumphs of Dr. King’s commitment to change and service in America, and social media posts on the University’s Facebook and Instagram page honoring Dr. King’s contributions to society.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township. The Centenary University School of Professional Studies offers degree programs in Parsippany, as well as online and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.