In 1958, Lycoming College's president, Dr. D. Frederick Wertz re-instated the Chapel Speakers series. Dr Martin Luther King was one of several speakers at the college that year.
On February 20 2020, a plaque commemorating Dr Martin Luther Kings visit to Lycoming College was dedicated in a ceremony at Clark Chapel, where King had spoke 62 years prior.
Two Lycoming alumni who were present for that speech in 1958 were at the dedication. Williamsport Mayor Dereck Slaughter, and Lycoming College President Kent C. Trachte spoke in a short ceremony, before a large replica of the plaque was unveiled.
The plaque and photo were on display in the foyer of the chapel.
In an entry in The Travels Of Martin Luther King Jr, On April 23 1958 -
"In the evening King dines with faculty members of Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He later participates in a question and answer period with students."
"Dr. King shown leaving Clarke Chapel, followed by Lycoming's president, Dr. D. Frederick Wertz. He had just finished speaking to Lycoming College students on the topic, "Facing the Challenge of a New Age." His lecture focused on moving past a world of exploitation and segregation, and moving into a world of freedom and justice. Regarding the transition, he said: "The present tensions are the usual things that accompany a new birth -- historically and biologically. There can be no birth without growing pains." - Lycoming College FB Page
There's a conflict in the records about which speech Dr King gave that night. A flyer from the event, and the local newspaper, say it was "It's A Great Time To Be Alive", but the Martin Luther King Archives show the speech as Facing The Challenge Of A New Age. A skilled orator, whichever speech he gave, it was likely an hour in length.
King's "Facing The Challenge Of A New Age" speech, which is most commonly believed to be the speech he gave that night in Williamsport, can be read online here. (He gave this speech a number of times, at various locations)
The Lock Haven Express
April 24 1958
Dr King had appeared on the cover of Time Magazine the year before his visit, and just two months after his visit to Williamsport, he met with President Eisenhower in Washington. Later that same year, his first book was published.
The plaque commemorating his visit was funded by a Lycoming College alumnus who heard King speak at the College, and was motivated to mark the occasion of his lecture.
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A Time Line Of Local History
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