In introductory remarks at the University's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration Jan. 18, Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman told the audience to heed King's message about the responsibility to be agents of change, in light of the recent earthquake and its aftermath in Haiti. She encouraged those attending to "address the systemic wrongs that afflict not just our own communities but communities around the world where pervasive poverty and political oppression, rather than social justice and democratic principles, prevail."

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson

Visual arts, literary arts and video contest first-place winners were (from left) Maya Kuang, grade 7; Allysa Dittmar, grade 12; Devon Fitzgerald, grade 7; Kirsten Carpino, grade 12; Jennifer Klejst, grade 9; Pia Sawhney, grade 12; Emma Brigaud, grade 6; Hitashree Nayak, grade 10; Jennifer Liu, grade 10; Saira Bhayat, grade 11; and Anuj Mehndiratta, grade 8.

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson

Tricia Rose, a scholar of modern African American culture and chair of the Department of Africana Studies at Brown University, delivered the keynote address. Noting that the tragedy in Haiti was a "collision of forces" that were "both manmade and naturally occurring," Rose said, "This is very much the intersection that King wanted us to attend to."

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson

Janet Dickerson, vice president for campus life, received the MLK Day Journey Award for Lifetime Service. The award recognizes efforts to continue the journey to achieve King's vision for America.

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Brian Wilson

The event also included performances by Lynette Williams, a singer and songwriter from Ridgewood, N.J., who dedicated one piece to Haiti.

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications,Brian Wilson

Princeton sophomore Allen Williams gave a spoken word presentation, reading an original poem.

photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications,Brian Wilson