Rejoice, for only a mere week after classes begin for the 2026 spring semester, students at Ohio University get a day off from their newly-acquainted classes. On January 19th, the university will close, and students will get a break from poring over syllabi and committing their new schedules to memory.
While it might be a nice surprise for some, the 19th actually marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and his legacy is the reason for students getting the day off.
Week-Long Celebration of MLK Jr.’s Legacy Kicks Off
The day is much more than just a day off for students to hit up the local bars stretched along Court Street. MLK Jr. Day at Ohio University is the start of an entire celebration that spans the whole week. Every Year, Ohio University acknowledges the life and legacy of Dr. King, honoring the work he put in towards racial equality in the country.
The kickoff traditionally begins with a silent march around campus. Anyone is welcome to join, but the point is to be quiet and purposeful, reflecting on the immense impact that MLK Jr. had on our country. After the march concludes, everyone is invited to attend brunch on campus with discounted rates for students. Each year features a brunch keynote speaker and plenty of great food and company.
The week continues with a variety of programming, like service fairs, a dessert reception, and a legacy awards announcement, all of which have been hosted in past years.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Day Off from Classes!
Take a moment to think about the impact and legacy that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left behind, and carry that with you throughout the day. But still have some fun—after all, you only just came back to campus from winter break.
Maybe you put off cleaning your off-campus apartment until after you came back from break and still haven’t gotten around to it. Or maybe you want to have one of the first get-togethers of the semester with your friends. Either way, take some well-deserved time for yourself, and enjoy your three-day weekend. After all, it’s your last day off from classes until spring break rolls around in March.