This January marked the fifth year the Stevens community came together to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Stevens Institute of Technology’s campuswide 2026 MLK Week of Service, held Jan. 19-23, translated reflection into action and reaffirmed the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring call for justice, service and collective responsibility. Throughout the week, 752 participants engaged in programs supported by 66 volunteer facilitators, engaging students, faculty, staff and alumni in hands-on service, educational programming and opportunities for dialogue.
The week emphasized direct community impact through a variety of drop-in service projects grounded in collaboration and care. Collectively, volunteers assembled and donated:
100 menstrual hygiene kits and 150 winter care kits distributed between the Hoboken Shelter and Lunchtime Ministries
450 utensil packs for Lunchtime Ministries
250 sandwiches for individuals served by the Hoboken Shelter
125 paper cranes in support of the 7/20 Foundation
45 cuddle hearts for Courage in Time, offering comfort to patients and families
Handwritten letters for Love for Our Elders and artwork through Color A Smile
Knitted items for Project Warmth and canned food donations for the Hoboken Pantry
In addition, Stevens community members participated in blood donation efforts that helped sustain or save 65 lives, reinforcing the collective impact of service.
Educational and reflective programming complemented the service projects, inviting participants to examine King’s legacy through a contemporary and institutional lens. Workshops, facilitated discussions and surveys encouraged critical reflection on civic engagement and the role of higher education in advancing equity and positive social change. That work continued in the Samuel C. Williams Library, where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Multimedia Exhibit offered space for independent exploration through archival photographs and newspaper articles, video content, print and electronic books, library databases and an online research guide.
The week concluded with a community reception celebrating the winners of the 2026 MLK Oratorical Contest and featuring a keynote address by Director of Philanthropy for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and founder of DreamWeaver Motivation Michael N. Weaver Jr. As participants looked ahead, the message was clear: the work of building a “beloved community” is ongoing.
