01/16/2026

Dear Campus Community,

On Monday, January 19, we honor the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This year is particularly special as it marks the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s birthday becoming a federal holiday. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law on Nov. 2, 1983, with the first official observance occurring on January 20, 1986.

The University of Puget Sound was among the first institutions to establish a dedicated observance and we proudly celebrate his legacy every year. As we prepare to host our 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, let us reflect on the years of persistent advocacy and dedicated effort by individual legislators, the Congressional Black Caucus, members of the civil rights movement, and everyday Americans – including Stevie Wonder with his song “Happy Birthday” – that ultimately made this federally observed day of remembrance possible.

In an era defined by division, Dr. King’s activism, bravery, and dedication to nonviolence served then and now as a powerful example of how Americans can bring about significant systemic change in support of a more just and equitable world. He understood that our collective progress is inextricably linked to our ability to connect with and seek to understand one another, once noting:

"People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other."

I invite you to join me in reaffirming our shared commitment to the spirit of service to one another that Dr. King championed by attending Puget Sound’s 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall.

This year, we are proud to welcome Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Ed.D., resident bishop of the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church. Bishop Bridgeforth oversees the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences. In addition to his ministry, he is the author of several books, including Alabama Grandson: A Black, Gay Minister’s Passage out of Hiding, and is the founder of 20/20 Leadership Lessons, Inc., where he provides coaching for clergy and nonprofit leaders.

Co-hosted by the Office of Institutional Equity & Diversity and the Swope Endowed Lectures, this celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s teachings and renew our commitment to the ongoing work of building a more just and equitable world. The event is free and open to the community, and I hope you will join us for this important and inspiring evening.

Sincerely,

Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President