The observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday has been a tradition at University of Puget Sound since before it was established as a national holiday in 1986. Please join us as we continue this tradition for the 39th year.

This year's keynote speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Leslie Braxton '83, our Spring 2025 Swope Endowed Lecturer. Reverend Braxton '83 is the Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship. His talk is entitled "Martin Luther King, Jr., A Model of Moral Leadership in an Immoral Empire."

In addition to Reverend Braxton's address, the event will feature welcome remarks, the presentation of Puget Sound's annual "Keep Living the Dream" Award, and a closing call to action by University Chaplain Reverend Dave Wright '96. Following the program, all are welcome to attend a reception with Reverend Braxton in Kilworth Lounge. 

This event is SOLD OUT. Guests without tickets can view a live stream of the program in the overflow room in Wheelock Student Center, Upper Marshall Hall, or remotely via pugetsound.edu/schneebecklive. 

The event is hosted by the Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity in collaboration with the Swope Endowed Lectures. The lectures are made possible by an endowment established in honor of Puget Sound alumna Jane Hammer Swope '42. The lectures invite significant speakers to campus to help the Puget Sound community engage with themes of faith, ethics, values, or religion in society.