In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the Samuel C. Williams Library (SCWL) has curated a multimedia exhibit highlighting the civil rights leader’s impact and the history of Black students at Stevens. This exhibit is being held in the Mary Stuart room until February 14, and serves as a way for people to educate themselves on the impact of Black history on Stevens. As part of the campus-wide MLK Week of Service, this exhibit serves as a powerful reminder of Dr. King’s teachings and the importance of historical representation.
The exhibit was made possible through the dedicated work of the library staff. Linda Beninghove, the Library Director, served as the project manager, ensuring the seamless execution of the exhibit. Archivist Ted Houghtaling, Head of Archives & Special Collections Leah Loscutoff, and Research & Instructional Services Librarian Courtney Walsh played key roles in researching, designing, and curating materials.
A critical component of the exhibit is an online research guide created by Walsh, which provides additional resources about Dr. King and the broader civil rights movement. This guide connects students to relevant books, e-books, websites, and student organizations that uphold Dr. King’s vision of racial equality. Additionally, a looping video of Dr. King’s Nobel Prize speech in Oslo, Norway, provides visitors with an immersive historical experience.
The selection of materials for the exhibit involved extensive discussions among the library staff about the story they aimed to tell. The focus extended beyond Dr. King’s legacy to include the history of Black students at Stevens. One of the exhibit’s central themes is the formation of the Black Student Union (BSU) in 1968, shortly after Dr. King’s assassination. However, as Houghtaling noted, gaps exist in the university’s historical records regarding BSU’s early years, underscoring the challenges of preserving student life in institutional archives.
To bridge these gaps, the Archives & Special Collections team actively seeks contributions from alumni and students. One significant recent addition to the collection is the James Braxton Papers, which document the experiences of one of Stevens’ first Black graduates. Braxton, who completed his degree in 1937, faced racial barriers in the field of engineering but went on to make significant contributions to urban planning and the Civil Rights Movement. His story provides valuable context to the broader narrative of Black history at Stevens.
One of the major challenges in setting up the exhibit was the scarcity of historical documentation regarding early Black student experiences. Loscutoff emphasized the importance of outreach efforts to encourage current students to engage with and contribute to the Archives. The “Voices from Castle Point” oral history project was launched to capture underrepresented perspectives, including those of the BSU’s first president, Ronald West ‘71. His interview will soon be added to the archive, offering a first-hand account of student activism at Stevens.
Additionally, Walsh encountered difficulties in sourcing public-domain images of Dr. King for the exhibit. As librarians committed to ethical research practices, they ensured that all visual materials adhered to copyright guidelines, using images from the Library of Congress and other verified sources.
Beninghove hopes that students and faculty will take away a deeper understanding of Dr. King’s lasting influence and recognize the wealth of resources available through the library. Walsh encourages visitors to explore the research guide, watch Dr. King’s speeches, and delve into the primary sources available in the Archives & Special Collections department.
This exhibit is more than just a display—it aligns with the library’s mission to support critical thinking, inclusivity, and historical awareness. Libraries, as Beninghove emphasized, play a crucial role in fostering informed and engaged communities. By curating exhibits like this, SCWL ensures that underrepresented voices are acknowledged and that students can connect with history in a meaningful way.
Dr. King’s teachings remain deeply relevant to the Stevens community today. As Loscutoff noted, his message of love, inclusion, and justice serves as a guide for building a more equitable society. By preserving and sharing these histories, SCWL contributes to an ongoing dialogue about race, representation, and the power of education.
