MLK Week: Rev. James Lawson Commemorative Exhibit Opening

As part of Baldwin Wallace University's MLK Week Celebration, we are proud to announce the opening of the Rev. James Lawson Commemorative Exhibit at Ritter Library.

Located in the main lobby, the exhibit includes materials from his time at BW and his time as a civil rights leader. The exhibit will be available for viewing during Ritter Library hours.

Join BW Director of Spiritual Life CJ Harkness and the MLK Planning Committee as we open the Rev. James Lawson Commemorative Exhibit with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and a few words to honor the Civil Rights giant.

About Rev. James Lawson

Lawson, who grew up in Massillon, Ohio, came to BW to study sociology and quickly put his values into practice, joining the local chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation as well as the Congress of Racial Equality.

Before finishing his degree, he elected to be a conscientious objector of the draft and was imprisoned for 13 months.

Following his release, he finished his degree at BW and went on to spend three years in India as a Methodist missionary, where he studied Gandhi's methods of civil protest.

For more information on Rev. Lawson's life and legacy, read James Lawson, a Civil Rights Giant.

Thank you to the staff at Ritter Library for their work in helping us celebrate Rev. Lawson.

About MLK Week

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration features a range of events and programs to bring awareness to the goals, ideals and dreams of the late civil rights leader. 

VIEW THE full MLK Week schedule

The 35th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is sponsored by Baldwin Wallace University in conjunction with the Berea community and the Campus/Community MLK Week Committee 2025.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

For more information, call the Center for Inclusion at (440) 826-2395.