ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of the national Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The university will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 21, operating under normally scheduled hours.

This closing includes all regional campuses, as well as the College of Osteopathic Medicine and all branches of the University Osteopathic Medical Center. All five sites -- UOMC-Parks Hall in Athens, UOMC ENT/Allergy on Richland Avenue in Athens, UOMC-O'Bleness in Athens, UOMC-Coolville and UOMC-Nelsonville -- will be closed. If you would like information about the University Osteopathic Medical Center or wish to make an appointment, please call (740) 593-1700.

Although the university is closed, several events are planned in celebration of King's legacy.

• The university's Center for Community Service has opportunities for volunteers for several community service projects in conjunction with the National Day of Service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20.
  
  Volunteers are needed for either 9 a.m. to noon or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. sessions with the following projects:
  • United Campus Ministry needs volunteers to clean and organize its Thursday Supper area
    
    
  • The Sunday Creek Watershed group will need volunteers only from 9 a.m. to noon to do stream clean up. The CCS will provide transportation
    
    
  • The Dairy Barn needs volunteers to teach hands-on art activities that focus on different cultures and an activity to teach youngsters about Dr. King.
    
    
  To volunteer or to gain more information, contact Janeece Henes, volunteer mobilization coordinator for the Center for Community Service, 593-4007 or www.ohio.edu/commserv.
  
  
• An MLK Memorial Service Brunch, featuring guest speaker William Parham, UCLA professor of psychology, will be held at 11 a.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom. A silent march will be held immediately following the lecture. Tickets are $4 for students and $8 for others. This event is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
  
  
• The STARS Martin Luther King Jr. Teach-In workshop will take place at 2 p.m. in Lindley Cultural Center. It will include a video, exercises and an open discussion on racism and diversity. The event is sponsored by Students Teaching About Racism in Society (S.T.A.R.S.).
  
  
• On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Bryan Barrows will present his one-man play, "Who Was Martin Luther King Jr.?" The play begins at 7 p.m. in the Baker University Center Ballroom and is sponsored by the Black Student Cultural Programming Board (BSCPB).

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.