Published on January 17, 2025 by Kameron Brown  
King statue

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”

In response to this call to action, Samford University’s Office of Community Engagement invited students, faculty and staff to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day by serving others and preserving history.

The university partnered with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) to send groups of students to the national historic landmark on Jan. 20. Volunteers assisted with event setup, provided literature to visitors, participated in activities and supported crowd control. Each volunteer committed to a two-hour shift.

“When students spend time with people directly affected by challenges and history, their perspectives broaden. What was once an issue is now a name and a face. Empathy, understanding and creative solutions grow out of intentional relationships,” said Debby Haralson, director of community engagement.

Samford University is a proud partner of the BCRI, sharing its mission to educate and preserve Birmingham’s history and the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the BCRI’s largest annual event, attracting more than 3,500 visitors from across the country last year.

“The BCRI relies on volunteers to give every visitor an opportunity to learn about Birmingham’s history and its global impact,” said Shawana Ariel, the institute’s volunteer coordinator. “I hope Samford students embrace the benefits of community service as a path to greater inclusion, diversity and the advancement of human rights.”

Students, faculty and staff were also encouraged to explore Samford’s Special Collection and University Archives, which house two original copies of King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” dated April 16, 1963.

Although the library is closed on the holiday, the Special Collection and University Archives are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Guests are encouraged to contact the archives in advance to schedule access. Digital copies of select materials are also available through the Samford Digital Collections website.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.