December 13, 2021

Susquehanna University has a slate of events planned to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. during the week of Feb. 1.

Payton Head, activist and former president of the Missouri Students AssociationHeadlining the university’s annual Winter Convocation is Payton Head, activist and former president of the Missouri Students Association. Head will deliver his message, Intentionally Intersectional Leadership, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Weber Chapel Auditorium. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in-person and virtually via Zoom.

A rising community leader, Head is invested in developing institutional cultures that are grounded in equity. He empowers students and campus administrators to fight hatred with radical love for others and themselves. With a passion for using education to affect change, Head co-authored a guide for student leaders on strategies for addressing inclusion at educational institutions.

Following the events in Ferguson, Head spearheaded conversations about improving race relations in the state of Missouri. Head’s viral Facebook post detailing his experience with fighting systemic injustice at the University of Missouri ignited the student body to fight for a more inclusive campus and be a change agent in higher education. Head details the adversities caused by race, gender and sexual orientation discrimination and proven solutions to facilitate open dialogue and embrace marginalized communities.

Head holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with certifications in leadership, multicultural and Black studies from the University of Missouri. He holds a master’s degree in public policy studies with certifications in global conflict and international development policy from the University of Chicago.

Additional activities during the week at Susquehanna include:

• A panel discussion, Interfaith Perspectives on Racial Equity in the Susquehanna Valley, on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m. in Weber Chapel Auditorium.
• Hope and Regeneration – Collaborative Roundtables Celebrating MLK’s Legacy, on Thursday, Feb. 3. The daylong event features lectures and readings in topics across the humanities and sciences.
• Days of Service Jan. 31- Feb. 4. 

  Students can write notes of appreciation to SU’s many “hidden heroes” who work in food services, facilities, housekeeping or campus safety. Note-writing locations will be set up in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center in Mellon Lounge and near the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.