Marchers honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. walked from the University Union to the du Bois Center.

Nizhoni Smocks, left, president of the Black Student Union, walked with friend Jamie Patterson. "There were many before us that did a lot more than march in the snow," Smocks said. "We're thankful for the actions of Dr. King. "

NAU President John Haeger addressed the hundreds who came to the program honoring King.

A choir composed of Flagstaff community members performed at the du Bois Center Ballroom as part of the MLK event.

Celebration honors MLK
and inspires marchers

More than 200 marchers joined in NAU's 20th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march and celebration on Jan. 15.

The march, which started at the University Union and continued to a program in the du Bois Center Ballroom, was an inspiration for attendees.

"I'm new to the community and this is a good opportunity to be part of something positive on campus and celebrate a great man who dedicated his life to great things," said Kristian Wiles, a program coordinator in educational support.

The program, "The King Legacy: Honoring our Past," featured speakers who helped inspire NAU's annual celebration, one of the first in the state: retired NAU President Eugene Hughes, Felicia E. McGinty, associate vice president for Student Engagement at Pennsylvania State University, and Tony Ross, vice president for Student Affairs at California State University-Los Angeles.

McGinty, who initiated NAU's march 20 years ago as president of the Black Student Union, was supported by Hughes and Ross, who was then dean of students and the assistant vice president of student affairs.

A choir composed of Flagstaff community members also performed.

Despite freezing temperatures, for many it was an opportunity to take the time to remember King's legacy.

"As an African-American I have come to honor MLK's life since he struggled to have the freedom I have today," said Anthony Burton, a student in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Nizhoni Smocks, president of NAU's Black Student Union and a student in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, summed up the experience. "There were many before us that did a lot more than march in the snow. We're thankful for the actions of Dr. King," she said.

Photos by Jerry Foreman.

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