Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a holiday that has extra meaning to Central College.

Dr. King made a visit to campus on March 22, 1967, and spoke to over 1,300 listeners overflowing from Central’s gymnasium.

Barbara Butler was then part of Central’s alumni office, and tells KNIA/KRLS News 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.”

Central is honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service and discussion about civil rights issues Thursday on campus.

In the morning, a conversation will be held to discuss economic justice in the Graham Banquet Hall at 11. The community is invited to help make weighted blankets in partnership with Sharing the Weight on Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Maytag Student Center. The film “A Raisin in the Sun” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Van Emmerik Theatre.
Additionally, a historic display of photos related to Martin Luther King, Jr. will be on display throughout the day in the Maytag Student Center.