Celebrate the life, service of Martin Luther King Jr. in January

AMES, Iowa – Civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. will be honored at Iowa State University and in the Ames community throughout the month of January. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 15, a university holiday.

All events below are free and open to the public.

"Let Freedom Ring" carillon concert

11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, central campus

Carilloneur Tin-Shi Tam will play a special concert in tribute to King.

Community birthday celebration

6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, Ames Middle School (3915 Mortensen Road)

Head to the annual community celebration of King’s life and service with songs, stories and birthday cake. The hour-long program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. legacy convocation

Balancing Freedom of Expression and Diversity: Campus Conversation

6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, Memorial Union Sun Room

Join a discussion about balancing First Amendment rights with the concerns of diverse populations on university campuses.

“Race and Justice in America” – Bryan Stevenson

8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, Memorial Union Great Hall

Equal Justice Initiative founder and executive director Bryan Stevenson will discuss the history of race in America’s criminal justice system, as well as EJI’s Lynching in America Project. Stevenson’s memoir, “Just Mercy,” tells the story of a young lawyer fighting against extreme punishment and careless justice.