Celebrations & Observances
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day
Every year, Bates celebrates the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., by cancelling classes and scheduling a full day of special programming on his anniversary of his birth.
Centered around themes based on King’s writing, the observance begins with a memorial service of worship in the College Chapel, a sermon by a notable civil rights leader, and musical performances.
Other progamming has included a read-in — where faculty, staff, students and members of the community will share a picture book with Lewiston grade 4-6 students — a keynote address, workshops, films, discussions, and art exhibits.
Black History Month
Bates celebrates Black History Month with art exhibits, poetry readings, films, workshops and more.
Recent events and workshops
- “Between Chaos and Community”
- “The Noble Road to Peace: Storming the Battlements of Injustice”
- “From Montgomery to Memphis: Martin Luther King’s Legacy of Labor, Justice and Dignity”
- “The Haitian Revolution: The Bicentennial and Its Legacy”
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
- “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?”
- “Nonviolence as a Way of Life”
- “Realities of Educational Inequity”
- “MLK Jr.’s thoughts on the Vietnam War”
- “The Iraq War: A Historical Perspective”
- “Chaos as Community: Jazz and African American Culture in the 1960s”