Four men in suits stand together with two of them holding a gift basket.
The presidents of Augusta University, Augusta Technical College, and Paine College present a gift basket to Rev. Dr. Charles E. Goodman of Tabernacle Baptist Church to thank him for delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tri-College Celebration.

AU hosts annual Tri-College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration

Paige Tucker1 min readJanuary 23, 2025

A large crowd from the Augusta University and greater Augusta communities filled AU’s Grover C. Maxwell Theatre last week for the 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tri-College Celebration.

Augusta University President Russell T. Keen was joined by Paine College President the Rev. Lester McCorn, PhD, and Augusta Tech President Jermaine Whirl, PhD, in hosting the annual service to remember the birthday and legacy of the civil rights leader.

The combined choirs from the three schools delivered several rousing performances, and the crowd sang together “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.” Middle school students from Murphey, Hornsby and Richmond Hill middle schools were also part of the audience.

This year’s keynote speaker was the Rev. Charles E. Goodman Jr., PhD, senior pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the historic Augusta church during the Civil Rights Movement.

“I am honored and humbled to share as the keynote speaker as we commemorate and celebrate a life that was so impactful to the very fabric of the soul of this nation, that is still challenging us to be our better selves today,” Goodman said.

Goodman spoke about King’s drive for a beloved community, inclusive of all. He reminded those in attendance about MLK’s principles of love and acting for the good of all saying, “We can’t thrive while others suffer.”

Three men wearing suits and two ladies stand in front of a backdrop with the logo for Augusta University.
A man in a suit behind a lectern claps his hands.
A man in a suit speaks standing behind a lectern.
A large choir with young people singing on stage with a piano.
Members of a crowd lock arms in solidarity and sing a song at the 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tri-College Celebration.
Members of a crowd lock arms in solidarity and sing a song at the 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tri-College Celebration.
Young adults hold music books and sing a song.
Speaker at a lectern, while most seat in a theater are filled.
A large choir of young people stands ready to sing as their director faces the crowd to invite them to join in song.

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