As frigid temperatures loomed outside Thursday, the warm glow of the Great Hall lights welcomed students, staff and faculty members into the Memorial Union for a birthday celebration.

On Jan. 22, 51 years ago, students entered the Great Hall in a similar fashion, but for a different reason. The connecting thread between these events is Martin Luther King Jr.

King gave an address to the ISU community titled “The Moral Challenges of a New Age,” On Jan. 22, 1960. In his address he spoke about the ideals he is most remembered for by the people in attendance of the celebration Thursday.

“For human progress is never inevitable. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of dedicated individuals,” King said. “We are challenged to work courageously with determined courage and goodwill to make the new order of brotherhood and oneness of mankind a reality.”

This week Iowa State celebrated King and the words he spoke with the cancellation of classes Monday, and events like the holiday celebration Thursday.

Luke Roling, president of the government of the student body, gave a short speech of the importance of the celebration.

“Many of us have only been able to experience these moments through school work and media, that’s why this event is so important, because as a community we can celebrate this all together,” Roling said.

During the celebration Mary Sawyer, professor of religious studies, was recognized as the 2011 faculty recipient of the “Advancing One Community” Award. This award is given to those who show a commitment to King’s goals and have put them to action in their community.

“I do believe that having this holiday and holding a program like this has merit,” Sawyer said. “At least once every year communities across the country and classrooms in our schools are hearing about this extrordinary American. About what he stood for and what he accomplished.”  [corrected from: “At least once a year students across the country and adults in the workplace get to hear about this remarkable individual: A man of faith, a patriot, a visionary and activist, who made an ultimate sacrifice for his principles and his convictions.”]

Sawyer also spoke at the event with a similar message to that of King’s by encouraging students to keep his dream alive.

“What if instead of partying for 12 hours on the weekend, what if students who do this partied for four hours, then spent four hours tutoring elementary students who are at risk for failing school, and spent the other four in the library reading books by and about Dr. King and other activists who worked for peace and justice? What if we then found a way to apply what we learned?” Sawyer asked.

Sawyer was inspired by King’s message while in college. Growing up in a small town in Nebraska, Sawyer was unaware of race and racism before she came to college.

She was inspired by King while in college and became involved in the civil rights movement. She had started a movement to desegregate housing and was kicked out of school.

Today Sawyer is still active at Iowa State and the surrounding community, promoting social justice and King’s message. It is only fitting that Iowa State celebrates this message 51 years later in the same week King delivered his message to campus.