A hushed reverence hangs in the air. We stand before the Martin Luther King Jr at SMU Plaque. This unassuming marker tells a powerful story. It’s a story of a pivotal moment in history a moment etched into the very fabric of Southern Methodist University.
In March 1966 Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered a powerful address. He spoke in SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium. A crowd of 2700 students faculty and staff filled the hall. This was just a year after a group of SMU students marched with Dr King from Selma to Montgomery. Their participation demonstrated their commitment to the Civil Rights Movement.
The invitation to speak at SMU came from an unexpected source. Bert Moore then vice president of the SMU Student Senate extended the invitation. Moore a participant in the Selma-to-Montgomery march had personally met Dr King. He and fellow student Charles Cox hosted Dr King during his Dallas visit. The event was significant. It highlighted the growing student activism on campus. It demonstrated SMU’s engagement with the struggle for racial justice.
The impact of Dr King’s visit extended far beyond that single day. Jerry LeVias SMU’s first Black athlete to receive an athletic scholarship cherished his meeting with Dr King. Other students like Fred Hegi remember sitting on stage during the speech. Clarence Glover Jr then director of Intercultural Education and Minority Student Affairs played a crucial role in preserving the memory of this event. He unearthed recordings of Dr King’s speech in the DeGolyer Library archives. His efforts led to SMU’s annual Unity Walk a tradition continuing for over 30 years.
More recently students like Carson Dudick and others worked tirelessly. They researched and secured the Texas Historical Marker. Their dedication ensures that Dr King’s legacy continues to inspire generations of SMU students. Lamisa Mustafa and Matt Hutnyan formed a committee collaborating with various student organizations. Their collaborative efforts secured administrative and trustee approval for the marker. This plaque is more than just a marker. It’s a testament to the power of student activism. It’s a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice. It’s a symbol of hope and progress at SMU. It stands as a powerful tribute to Dr King’s enduring legacy.