Central College honored the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his visit to campus with a ceremony Wednesday afternoon.
During the event, those who attended King’s speech five decades ago spoke about its importance in their lives. President Mark Putnam officially dedicated a plaque to King that now hangs in the Maytag Student Center.
Barbara Butler was then part of Central’s alumni office, and says she was enthralled with King’s speech and remembers his visit fondly.
“I was thrilled to think he was coming because I knew how prominent he was and what a fine speaker he was, and I was anxious to have him represented on our campus,” Butler says.
Mary Lubbers Montgomery is the daughter of then-Central President Arend “Don” Lubbers, who invited King to campus. Montgomery was eight years old at the time.
“I remember waiting impatiently for him to arrive at our home, and when he finally arrived, of course my brothers and I were instructed to use our manners and how to act and how to introduce yourself to someone or greet someone,” Montgomery says. “So I stuck out my hand as Dr. King came through the door, and I was mesmerized, of course, seeing him.”
Montgomery has taken the message and legacy of Dr. King to heart throughout her life as an educator.