Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Elmhurst University has a tradition of embracing social justice and stewardship. From hosting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on campus and establishing a lecture series in his name, to being the first institution in the country to ask applicants about their LGBTQ+ identities. Most recently, we have reached new heights as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). At its roots, Elmhurst has always been on the forefront of social justice initiatives.
In the spirit of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Elmhurst continues to make great strides toward equality; our Elmhurst University Strategic Plan is built upon equity, inclusion and belonging. We recognize our legacy of engaging others in an ever-widening circle in service to the common good; as envisioned by H. Richard Niebuhr and Reinhold Niebuhr, the sixth president of Elmhurst University and prominent 20th-century theologian alumnus, we affirm our collective responsibility to foster an inclusive culture of service and philanthropy.
In 2022, the Office of Equity and Inclusion spearheaded the process of becoming an HSI and securing a 3.4 million dollar federal grant which is being used to support Elmhurst’s Hispanic and underserved student populations. In 2023, The Office of Equity and Inclusion opened El Centro de la Promesa Azul, a culturally inclusive space and meeting/gathering spot aimed at nurturing student success. As we enter into 2025, we continue to seek opportunities to ensure every student feels welcomed and a sense of belonging on our campus.
In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Elmhurst University continues to hold Equity, Inclusion and Belonging as core values and crucial pieces to a robust education. We will continue to roll up our sleeves and put in the work required to better serve our students and the Elmhurst community.