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CORVALLIS - A candlelight vigil, a "work-a-thon" and a 5-kilometer race are among the highlights of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration '98, Jan. 10-23 at Oregon State University.

Activities are open to the public and most are free. The university will cancel classes on Jan. 19 to allow students and staff to join the tribute.

Barbara Williams Emerson, author of the "Mississippi Freedom Summer Journal," will be the featured speaker for the celebration. Her free talk, "Building Community: Neighbors in Harmony," is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, in OSU's LaSells Stewart Center.

Emerson is vice president for program development and associate provost at The New School for Social Research in New York. "Mississippi Freedom Summer Journal" details the 25th anniversary reunion of former volunteers of a landmark 1964 voter registration project.

OSU's Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity is sponsoring the second annual Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Fun Run-Walk-Roll on Sunday, Jan. 11. Entry is free, but donations will be accepted for the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease and the Urban League of Portland's Saturday School. Registration begins at 1 p.m. with racing at 2 p.m. in the parking lot south of OSU's Black Cultural Center, 25th Street and Monroe Avenue.

Student leaders will be the featured speakers at the 16th annual Peace Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19. Breakfast tickets will be available at the door or at the Memorial Union Business Office cashier's window through Friday, Jan. 16. Tickets are $6.50 each, or $4.50 for students.

Planned activities include:

Saturday, Jan. 10

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: "Back to School Jam," a free dance, open to the public, featuring disc jockey Anthony Murray. Memorial Union Ballroom.

Sunday, Jan. 11

2 p.m.

The second annual Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Fun Run-Walk-Roll. Donations accepted for the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease and the Urban League of Portland's Saturday School. Register at 1 p.m. in lot south of OSU's Black Cultural Center, 25th Street and Monroe Avenue.

3:30 p.m.

Reception for Barbara Williams Emerson, author and activist, who will be the featured speaker for the 1998 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. MU Room 109.

Monday, Jan. 12

All day

Signing of the Martin Luther King Jr. Pledge Wall in the MU Concourse. Supporters sign the pledge wall to affirm their belief in non-violent social change, equality, justice, freedom and peace. Wall will stand and signing will continue through Friday, Jan. 23.

Noon

City of Corvallis Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, starting with a City Council meeting and awards presentation at Benton County Public Library, 6th Street and Monroe Avenue. The meeting will be followed by the annual Peace Walk to Martin Luther King Jr. Park for a tree planting ceremony.

7 p.m.

"Building Community: Neighbors in Harmony," a talk by Barbara Williams Emerson, author, activist. OSU's LaSells Stewart Center, 26th Street and Western Boulevard. Free.

Tuesday, Jan. 13

12:30 p.m.

A free video series to introduce a discussion about race and ethnicity. "Talking about Race," a 30-minute presentation that features students from three American universities sharing perspectives on race and affirmative action policies and political correctness and reverse discrimination. MU Room 211.

7 p.m.

"Skin Deep," a film from Academy Award-nominated producer Frances Reid, which follows students from four universities to a challenging racial awareness workshop where they confront each others' innermost feelings about race and ethnicity. She also accompanies them back to their campuses and on visits home in an attempt to understand why they think the way they do. Free. MU Room 211.

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Noon

Presentation of President Clinton's December conference on race. Open discussion will follow Clinton's address. MU Room 208.

7 p.m.

"Making it Real Beyond the Dream," an open dialogue between OSU students and the Corvallis Police Department, including strategies for working together. Free. LaSells Stewart Center. Thursday, Jan. 15

3 p.m.

"Rappin' Granny" Vivian Smallwood stages a program for children that uses rap to communicate with children. Her messages include: Stay in school and say no to drugs. Free. Majestic Theater, 115 S.W. 2nd St.

Monday, Jan. 19

All day

Work-a-Thon at various community organizations. Register at the Black Cultural Center. Volunteers donate services in honor of King's philosophy that a person's worth is measured by commitment to making a better life for all. Contact the center at 541-737-4372 for information.

7:30 a.m.

16th annual OSU Peace Breakfast, featuring OSU student leaders. MU Ballroom. Tickets $6.50, $4.50 for students.

1 - 5 p.m.

"Starpower," an interactive game simulating a society. Wealth and commerce play a major role in a person's success. Free. MU Ballroom.

6:30 p.m.

Candlelight Vigil, MU Quad. Bring your own candle.

7 p.m.

Round Table Discussion. Issues important to King will be discussed. Facilitator is Paul James, coordinator of OSU's Ujima Education Office. MU Music Room.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

7 p.m.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest focusing on King's commitment to making a better life for all people. Register by Jan. 14. For information, Shannon Butler, 541-737-6357. OSU's Withycombe Lab Theater.

Thursday, Jan. 22

7 p.m.

"Our Real World," students and community members perform monologues from plays and other written works, covering a range of race issues. MU Lounge.