Annual MLK scholarship breakfast features talk with NYU law professor Melissa Murray

Rowan University honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jan. 25 with its 39^th annual scholarship breakfast and day of service activities.

As it does each year, the event raised money to support high achieving students with financial need through the William H. Myers Scholarship Program. This year's program was moderated by 6ABC news anchor Rick Williams and featured Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor and MSNBC legal analyst.

Co-sponsored by the Rowan University Division of Inclusive Excellence, Community & Belonging and the Rowan University Foundation, the event is typically held each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January, but was delayed this year in deference to Inauguration Day Jan. 20.

Addressing a full house in Eynon Ballroom, Vice President for the Division of Inclusive Excellence, Community & Belonging Penny McPherson-Myers said funding raised at the breakfast can make an impact to last a lifetime.

“Here students discover their voice to change the future,” McPherson-Myers said. “Let us all be inspired to be change agents for tomorrow.”

The morning’s centerpiece was a conversation between Williams and Murray, an expert on Constitutional Law and a New York Times best-selling author.

Williams asked Murray to comment on the November election and the overwhelming support across America to reelect Donald Trump.

“Whether you identified as a Republican or Democrat, you have to recognize that there was something that a portion of the electorate was responding to,” Murray said.

She noted that presidential elections are often referenda not just on the candidates running but on the state of the nation.

“People want government to work,” she said, “and (for some) it didn’t feel like it was working.”

Overall, Murray said, November 2024 was an “anti-incumbency” election and America’s story is still being written.

“This is a moment when we need to reflect on what kind of government we want,” she said.

Moments earlier, Rowan President Ali Houshmand referenced King’s life and legacy as models.

“Dr. King’s words remind us that everybody can be great because everybody can serve,” Houshmand said. “Here at Rowan, service is woven into the fabric of who we are.”

Houshmand noted that in the past year alone:

• Rowan students, faculty and staff literally gave of themselves, their time and energy through participation in six American Red Cross blood drives that raised enough to help more than 650 patients;
• donations from the West Campus farm raised more than 30,000 pounds of produce for families;
• the Fresh For All market partnership with Philabundance provided more than 91 tons of free fresh produce to students and community members;
• Rowan continued its popular Back to the ’Boro program in which more than 750 students volunteered at 113 community locations and helped residents in need.