Ball to honor MLK Jr.

  Monday, January 7, 2019 12:00 PM
  People and Society, News, Arts & Entertainment, Campus Culture

Pittsburg, KS

For the second year, the Black Student Association at Pittsburg State will host a formal event to celebrate civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  

The Martin Luther King Jr. Ball will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the Overman Student Center’s Crimson and Gold Ballroom. It is open to PSU students, faculty, staff, and the community. 

"As far as we know, we're the only university in Kansas that does something like this," said Harold Wallace, assistant director of Student Diversity Programs in the Office of Student Diversity, which is collaborating with the BSA to stage the event.  

“The university observes the holiday, but we didn’t have an event that honored the day,” Wallace said. “Our students came up with the idea of having a ball, bringing out their old prom dresses and formal attire, and incorporating an inspirational quote.” 

This year’s quote: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” 

Students have been invited to create artistic works such as poems, paintings and drawings, and dances, based on that quote. They will be shared and performed at the ball.  

"Last year's event was a success, and we want to continue it,” Wallace said. “We had a huge turn-out from our international student population, as well as our residence hall population and the Tilford Group, and some community members, which is what we want. We don’t want people to think it’s an African-American event – that's not what MLK was about. He was about diversity, about getting together and engaging with each other.” 

Wallace eventually would like to add an oratory competition to the event and turn it into a scholarship ball. 

Admission is free. The event will include light refreshments, a DJ and dance, a photo booth, speeches and performances.