SDSU Student Essay Contest
Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1964 speech at San Diego State’s Open Air Theater
IN BRIEF
Students are invited to submit a one-page essay on one of the key themes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution” speech, due by Monday, April 21st, 2014. Winners will read their entry in a public program on April 30th, 2014, at 3:30pm and will receive $250 and a signed copy of Hail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State.
DETAILS
On April 30th, 2014, from 3:30-4:30pm in the Open Air Theater’s upper patio, SDSU will host a public program and plaque dedication in honor of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1964 on-campus address at San Diego State. The program will include the winning essays from the university-wide essay contest on themes from the MLK speech. Winners will each receive a $250 honorarium and a signed copy of Hail Montezuma: The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State.
Although the San Diego State speech has been lost, a speech with a similar title— “Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution”—can be read in its entirety at:
www.hailmontezuma.sdsu.edu/mlk_speech.html.
INSTRUCTIONS
Interested participants are asked to submit a one-page essay on the speech, “Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution” to smallios@mail.sdsu.edu with “SDSU Essay Contest” as the subject line by Monday, April 21st, 2014.
Each entry should focus on one of three themes from the speech:
- Racial or economic injustice;
- Why peace deserves public commitment; or
- What responsibilities we hold for our fellow citizens.
Successful essays should both interpret what Dr. King said on the theme and offer insight into the historical context or the meanings of this speech 50 years later.
Winners will be notified by April 25th, 2014. Winners must be registered students at SDSU and must participate in the public program on April 30th to receive their prizes.
If you have any questions, please contact Professor Seth Mallios smallios@mail.sdsu.edu.