Through singing, drumming and repeating King's words, he was honored Friday night at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel with a banquet commemorating his life and work.

The formal dinner, sponsored by The Forum on Black Affairs, celebrated King's dedication to justice and freedom with a presentation of the "Letter From Birmingham Jail," followed by performances by Penn State's NOMMO Drum Ensemble and Essence of Joy choir.

Korey Jackson, a member of Essence of Joy, said the event exemplified what the choir worked toward all year long.

"It really means a lot to us to sing in a celebration like this; it means more to us than any other performance we have done," Jackson said. "There is a wonderful group of people here, all coming to celebrate a great man."

In addition to the music of Essence of Joy, banquet attendees had the opportunity to honor King with their voices. At the close of the evening, nearly 560 people stood to sing "We Shall Overcome" as a commitment to advance King's goals of freedom and justice for all people.

Grace Hampton, professor of art and art education and chair of the banquet, said the positive atmosphere of the celebration demonstrates the enduring quality of King's work and message.

"It is important that people recognize the contributions that Martin Luther King made for everyone," Hampton said. "With people braving the bad weather to be here, it tells us that the spirit is still alive. It says that even though it is a number of years since his death, people are still celebrating his accomplishments."

King, the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, is considered one of the most influential civil rights leaders in the world. Most famous for his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, King was a leading orator for the fight against segregation and racial injustice.

Though people long have honored the life of King with ceremonies and celebrations, his birthday did not become a national holiday until the 1980s. After much debate in Congress, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation making King's birthday a national holiday on Jan. 20, 1983, 15 years after King's death. Celebrated annually in the United States on the third Monday of January, King's birthday is also celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Given the profound nature of King's goals, honoring him is an inspirational experience, Akilah Couvson (senior-industrial engineering) said. Couvson, who attended the banquet for the fourth time, said the ceremony gave her hope for the future.