“Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.: From hate to hope” exhibition curated by Luther students

A photography exhibit curated by Luther students commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photography captures more than a moment in time, it creates and adds to a larger narrative of history. “Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.: From hate to hope,” a photography exhibit curated by Luther College students, is a commemoration of the life and tragic death of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.

The exhibit is on display from February 1 to April 6 in Preus Library on Luther’s campus, with a reception at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the Hovde Lounge of Preus Library. The exhibit and reception are open to the public with no charge for admission.

“Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.: From hate to hope” features photographs from four pivotal events in the life of one of America’s greatest leaders: the Montgomery bus boycott, the March on Washington, the March on Selma, and his assassination. The purpose is to view the life of Martin Luther King Jr. not in the scope of his death in Memphis on April 4, 1968, but to commemorate the power of hope in the face of so much hate.

The photos of these events focus on Martin Luther King, Jr. as a man, who sought to walk with others on a path for greater freedom and liberty for all people. The photographs in the show were extracted from a variety of online sources, including the Library of Congress, the Associated Press, Getty Images, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and History.com.

The exhibit is curated by Luther students Johanna Beaupre, Deanna Grelecki and Katy Roets, who are enrolled in the education January Term course “Advanced Social Studies Methods” taught by Dean Vesperman, Luther assistant professor of education.

Beaupre, a senior from Maple Grove, Minnesota, is majoring in history with minors in education and Spanish, as well as an English language education endorsement. She is a member of Luther’s Nordic Choir and a leader of the organization Educators for Social Justice.

Grelecki, a junior from Oakwood Hills, Illinois, is double majoring in history and anthropology and minoring in secondary education. She is involved with Luther College’s Ballroom and Swing team.

Roets, a senior from Ellington, Connecticut, is majoring in history. She is the vice president of Luther’s Student Senate and sings in Luther’s Collegiate Chorale.

Before coming to Luther College, Vesperman taught junior high and high school social studies for 11 years in southeast Wisconsin and earned his doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from Indiana University. He is very active in state and national councils for the social studies.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,050, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college’s website: http://www.luther.edu.