Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Dear Seattle University Community,

As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pause to honor the life, legacy, and enduring vision of its namesake. This federal holiday invites us not only to reflect on Dr. King’s leadership in the struggle for civil rights, but also to recommit ourselves to the values that animated his work.

Dr. King’s call to confront injustice through courage, compassion, action, and reconciliation aligns with our educational mission as a Jesuit, Catholic university. And the incongruity we witness between the world as it exists and the “beloved community” Dr. King envisioned only reinforces the urgency to advance his important work. Dr. King’s example reflects that in times of great struggle, belief in the possibility of a better world creates ripples of hope and determination that can propel us forward to confront hate in any form and pursue equity and justice in service of collective liberation.

In this spirit, we invite you to a special Mass and talk this morning, and to our annual commemoration on Thursday:

• Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Mass  | Monday, Jan. 19 | Chapel of St. Ignatius | 11 a.m. Mass with Bishop Eusebio Elizondo presiding and noon talk, “Power that is moral is essential for justice and equality,” with guest speaker Sharon Spence-Wilcox. Learn more.

• 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration | Thursday, Jan. 22 | 12:30–1:30 p.m. | Pigott Auditorium | Randall L. Kennedy, Professor at Harvard Law School, will deliver a keynote address: “Is it Worthwhile to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?” Learn more and register here.

We hope you can take part in these gatherings. As we all reflect upon the life and legacy of Dr. King, let us draw strength from our shared commitment and move forward together to build a more just and humane world.

Sincerely,

Eduardo M. Peñalver
President

Natasha Martin
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion