Students honor Martin Luther King Jr. by putting his values into action

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a national holiday dedicated to reflection and remembrance. At Binghamton University, students are encouraged to honor King by putting his values into practice through collective action.

In collaboration with the Q-Center and the Multicultural Resource Center, two on-campus organizations committed to equity and inclusion, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) hosted its annual MLK Days of Service on Jan. 23-24, providing students with opportunities to give back while uplifting King’s values of service and community care.

Students officially returned to campus on the Tuesday following the holiday, and many chose to spend their first weekend back volunteering. After a long winter break and the transition back to classes, students still showed up energized and eager to honor King’s legacy through acts of service. Participation in the MLK Days of Service has continued to grow in recent years. This year, 80 student volunteers completed a total of 110 service hours across four service sites, reflecting a strong and expanding commitment to community engagement.

One of the largest service efforts supported the Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial Church, as the congregation prepared to relocate to a new shared space in Johnson City. Student volunteers assisted with packing, loading, unloading and organizing furniture and supplies as the church transitioned out of its longtime building on Main Street. Volunteers worked in teams to transport items to storage and to the church’s new temporary location at Boulevard United Methodist Church in Binghamton.

The Rev. Carolyn Stow emphasized the impact of student involvement, noting that the physical demands of the move would have been difficult for congregation members to manage on their own.

“They have so much energy and strength,” Stow said of the students. “They’re helping us move everything from this building into storage until we’re able to find a new home.”

She also highlighted the church’s longstanding partnership with the CCE, citing past collaborations that included computer and reading classes, outreach ministries, and programs such as Our Lord’s Table, the church’s bike program, and Sarah’s Closet. Reflecting on the weekend, Stow expressed gratitude for the effort and its connection to King’s vision.

“I truly believe that his dream is a little closer to coming true because of efforts like this,” she said.

Students also volunteered at the Identity Youth Center in Binghamton, where they focused on organizing and refreshing the space to ensure it remains welcoming and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. Volunteers helped with window cleaning, general organization and preparing materials to support the center’s programming.

For Mia DeVito, a student in the Master of Public Administration program and a volunteer with the Empire State Service Corps, the experience was both eye-opening and meaningful.

“It’s really special knowing the community has a place to come together and connect,” DeVito said. “Everyone wanted to be there and help, and being able to support that in any way meant a lot to me.”

Other volunteers supported the Q Center’s Gender Bender Closet by organizing clothing donations for use by campus and community partners, while additional volunteers traveled to Endicott to help the Puzzled Players Comedy Improv Theater and Training Center with a painting project, refreshing the space so the arts organization can continue serving the community.

By the end of the weekend, students had turned the start of the spring semester into an opportunity for collective impact.

“Even in the cold temperatures, students showed up to serve, demonstrating a strong commitment to making an impact in the local community,” said Jeremy Pelletier, assistant director of campus engagement at the CCE.