SMU will honor the life, legacy, and influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the University’s annual Dream Week celebration with a series of events planned to honor King’s legacy.

The holiday recognizing Dr. King has special significance for SMU as the civil rights leader spoke at the University on March 17, 1966, at the invitation of the Student Senate. A Texas Historical Commission marker was installed at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium last year, recognizing the significance of his speech there.

The following events are open to the public:

Dallas ISD’s 32nd annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition

Friday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m., McFarlin Auditorium

Co-sponsored by Foley & Lardner LLP, the competition on the same stage from which Dr. King spoke in 1966 features eight Dallas ISD fourth- and fifth-grade finalists who will present original three-to-five-minute speeches addressing the topic, “How would Dr. King reflect on the 60 years since his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech?” RSVP to attend here.

Annual Unity Circle ceremony

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 12 noon to 1 p.m., SMU’s flagpole on the main quad, located at the north end of Bishop Boulevard.

SMU President R. Gerald Turner, Vice President for Student Affairs K.C. Mmeje; student representatives from the Association of Black Students and the National Pan-Hellenic Council; and faculty, staff, and students will gather to honor the ongoing legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lecture by Brian Williams, former Parkland trauma surgeon, activist fighting structural racism, health inequity and gun violence

Wednesday, Jan. 17, 6 p.m., Hughes-Trigg Student Center Auditorium

A leader in the U.S. military, academic medicine, public health and public policy, Williams gained national prominence after leading the team that cared for police officers ambushed on July 7, 2016, in Dallas. His leadership after the ambush helped reform the role of civilians in police oversight.

In addition, SMU is one of the sponsors of the MLK Scholarship and Awards Gala on Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Renaissance Dallas Hotel. SMU’s band, cheer squad, student-athletes, and other volunteers will participate with University President R. Gerald Turner in the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on Monday, Jan. 15.

SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.