PRESS RELEASE

AMES, Iowa — Throughout the month of January, Iowa State University and the Ames community will observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday (Monday, Jan. 21) to honor the life of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and civil rights activist. All events listed below are free and open to the public.

“Let Freedom Ring” carillon concert

11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16, central campus

Carilloneur Tin-Shi Tam will play the bells of Iowa State in a musical tribute to King. She will perform several spirituals and hymns, ending with “Let Freedom Ring.” The concert will be broadcast live on the web at http://www.music.iastate.edu/feeds/carillon/.

Community birthday celebration

6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, Ames Middle School (3815 Mortensen Road)

Festivities at the traditional Ames community celebration include a birthday cake and a program of songs, stories and skits commemorating King’s life and service.

Legacy convocation

4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, Memorial Union Sun Room

The program will showcase King’s philosophy, which is a global vision that advocates equality for everyone. ISU alumnus Arnold Woods III, Des Moines, will serve as keynote speaker. Woods has been active in national and local branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Recipients of the Advancing One Community Awards also will be recognized  

“Race, Racism and Race Relations in America”

Michael Eric Dyson

8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, Memorial Union Great Hall

Michael Eric Dyson is an influential black scholar, cultural critic and public intellectual. He is University Professor of sociology at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and the author of 16 books, including “April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America.”