Presbyterian College celebrates legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with faith, service, and dialogue

Alyssa Lucas (center) was presented a $112,000 scholarship as the 2025 PC JEDI Scholar by Dr. Selena Blair, the Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (left) and PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson.
Presbyterian College marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a series of events blending worship, service, and dialogue to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy of justice, equality, and service.
The college’s celebration began with generosity and recognition at the Martin Luther King Unity Gala held in Greenville on Jan. 17. At the event, PC named Hillcrest High School senior Alyssa Lucas as the 2025 Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholar and awarded her a $112,000 MLK Unity Scholarship to attend PC.
Worship service emphasizes King’s spiritual leadership
The commemoration continued on Sunday, Jan. 19, with a worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Clinton. The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, the Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at PC, delivered a poignant sermon focusing on the spiritual foundation of Dr. King’s message.
The Presbyterian College Choir, under the direction of alumna Kipper Ackerman ‘97, provided stirring musical selections that resonated with the spirit of the occasion.

Student volunteers at the Clinton Community Garden joined dozens of their classmates working throughout Laurens County during the MLK Service Day events.
Service Day reflects PC’s motto
The college’s commitment to service took center stage on Monday, Jan. 20, during its 11th annual MLK Service Day. Student Volunteer Services (SVS) co-director Lyle Jones shared highlights of the day’s impact at the Martin Luther King Jr. convocation later in the week.
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” Jones said, quoting King as he described the activities that brought over 100 volunteers together. Volunteers, including students, faculty, staff, and community members, participated in service projects across Laurens County, reflecting the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”
Projects included clearing debris at Laurens County Park following Hurricane Helene, assisting with animal care at the Laurens County Humane Society, and cleaning and landscaping a local church’s cemetery. Other efforts included a trash pickup along Fifth Avenue on campus, gardening at a community garden, playing bingo with residents at Clinton Presbyterian Community, and creating more than 250 Valentine’s Day cards for the residents, as well.
While 100 volunteers signed up, Jones noted that several others joined spontaneously, further exemplifying the community’s dedication to honoring King’s legacy through action.
Keynote address challenges listeners to act

Dr. Charryse Johnson
The celebration culminated on Wednesday, Jan. 22, with a keynote address by Dr. Charryse Johnson, a nationally recognized mental health expert, author, and consultant. Speaking to a packed audience in Edmunds Hall, Johnson delivered an impassioned speech centered on the theme “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence 365.”
Johnson began by acknowledging the diverse emotions surrounding current political and social landscapes, urging attendees to channel their feelings into constructive action.
“Dr. King’s dream was not meant to be a seasonal celebration,” she said. “It was and is a call to action that resonates every day of the year.”
Drawing on personal experiences, including the loss of her mother to cancer while she was a college sophomore, Johnson highlighted the importance of resilience and community. She reflected on the necessity of building coalitions across lines of faith, identity, and background, echoing King’s vision of a “beloved community.”
Johnson also addressed common barriers to civic engagement, such as fear of failure or feeling unqualified. She debunked these excuses, challenging attendees to embrace their roles as agents of change.
“Change doesn’t require formal qualifications,” she said. “It requires passion and dedication.”
In addition to King, Johnson invoked other inspirational figures, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, emphasizing the power of individual actions to spark collective progress.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” she quoted Mandela, urging students to leverage their learning for the greater good.
She reminded attendees of King’s insistence on perseverance, saying, “We must accept finite disappointments, but we must never lose infinite hope.” Johnson stressed the value of self-care, particularly for those engaging in activism, and encouraged the audience to find strength in their communities, even amid challenges.
“The road ahead will not always be easy,” she said, “but we must refuse to be defeated. Each of us has the power to create change.”
Johnson outlined 10 common excuses people use to avoid engagement, such as “I’m just one person” or “I don’t know enough.” She countered each one with actionable advice, inspiring attendees to reject complacency and embrace their capacity to influence the world. “The time is always right to do what is right,” she said, quoting King. “Together, we can turn mission possible into mission accomplished.”
A unified legacy of service and reflection
Presbyterian College’s multifaceted celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstrated a collective commitment to the values King championed. From the spiritual reflections at First Presbyterian Church to the hands-on service projects and the inspirational keynote address, the events underscored the importance of living out King’s dream daily.
“This week has been a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together,” Jones said. “Dr. King’s legacy challenges us to serve not only as individuals but as a united community.”