MLK Jr. Day at Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

There will be a campus-wide march and community service project beginning at 5 p.m. Monday.

The event will with a march from Hindsman Tower to the W.O. Young Building. At the conclusion of the march, volunteers will gather in the Young Ballroom to participate in the second annual The Pack Shack event at Arkansas Tech.

According to its website, The Pack Shack is a non-profit organization headquartered in Rogers that seeks to “supply provisions and opportunities for our neighbors in need.” The organization was co-founded by Arkansas Tech alumnus Jarod Ring.

The inaugural Pack Shack event at Arkansas Tech in 2016 packed 37,152 meals to assist individuals and families facing food insecurity. The goal for the 2017 event is to pack 40,000 meals, all of which will be distributed to those in need through service organizations in Russellville.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university are invited to volunteer at the food packing event. All necessary supplies will be provided to volunteers.

Members of the Arkansas Tech community are invited to two additional events in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

There will be a gallery walk from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Chambers Cafeteria tabling area. The gallery will include artistic pieces that reflect the civil rights movement.

In addition, the monthly Tech Talks open forum will take place from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19, in Baswell Techionery. Tech Talks is a safe space that allows for the sharing of thoughts, beliefs, questions and comments regarding the topic of the day.

For more information about the Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017 events at Arkansas Tech, call (479) 880-4358 or send e-mail to diversity@atu.edu.