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Drew University Honors Martin Luther King Jr.’s Historic Visit

The civil rights leader delivered his inspiring “American Dream” speech to over 5,000 attendees

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Martin Luther King Jr. (center) with George D. Kelsey (left), professor of Christian ethics at Drew, and Robert F. Oxnam (right), Drew University President

January 2025 – On February 4, 1964, Drew University welcomed The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to its campus where he delivered his powerful “American Dream” speech. This event remains a cornerstone in the University’s history and is commemorated annually in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

King’s visit was facilitated by Dr. George D. Kelsey, professor of Christian ethics at Drew and a former mentor to King during his time at Morehouse College. Kelsey, who had been director of the Morehouse School of Religion, played a pivotal role in influencing King’s decision to dedicate his life to ministry and social justice.

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King delivering his 'American Dream' speech at Drew University

King addressed a crowd of over 5,000 in Drew’s Baldwin Gym. Due to the overwhelming turnout, the speech was broadcast to additional locations on campus, including the Great Hall at S.W. Bowne. Local coverage from The Madison Eagle described it as “the best attended cultural event in this area’s history,” noting that as many as 500 people had to be turned away due to space constraints.

Ahead of his speech, King expressed the importance of engaging with young adults. “It is always a very rich and rewarding experience when I can take a brief break from the day-to-day demands of our struggle in the South and discuss the issues involved in that struggle with college and university students.”

Drew University President Robert Fisher Oxnam welcomed King, acknowledging his transformative leadership. “Dr. King has led our people, Black and white, to see a new American dream,” he said.

“He is unimposing, seems quite ordinary, but, when he speaks, people listen. They tend to forget all else,” wrote a student reporter from the Drew Acorn.

Click here for the audio recording of King’s speech, as well as images and other notable artifacts from the historic day, housed by Drew’s Special Collections and University Archives.

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