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CORVALLIS - A candlelight vigil, films and a "peace walk" through Corvallis are some of the highlights of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration '96 from Jan. 8-19 at Oregon State University.

Activities are open to the public and most are free. The university will cancel classes on Jan. 15 to allow students and staff to join the tribute.

Oregon state Rep. Margaret Carter, D-Portland, will be the featured speaker for OSU's 14th annual Peace Breakfast, scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, in the university's Memorial Union Ballroom. Breakfast tickets are on sale through Jan. 12 at the Memorial Union Business Office cashier's window for $6.50 each, or $4.50 for students.

Carter has served in the Oregon House of Representatives for more than 10 years and served on the House Conference Committee on Oregon's Dr. Martin Luther King State Holiday Day, including a term as committee co-chair. She has also served as regional president of Blacks in Government and as an executive committee member of the National Black Caucus.

Georgia attorney Mary Young-Cummings will be keynote speaker for this year's celebration. A Georgia state representative from 1983-92, she came to national attention in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Young-Cummings will speak at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at OSU's LaSells Stewart Center.

The planned activities include:

Monday, Jan. 8 through Monday, Jan. 15

Daily: Martin Luther King Work-a-Thon to benefit community organizations. 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. Enroll at OSU's Black Cultural Center, Monroe Avenue, just east of 26th Street, or contact Renae Cain at 541-737-4372 for information.

Tuesday, Jan. 9

Construction of the Martin Luther King Jr. pledge wall begins in the OSU Memorial Union Concourse. Supporters sign the pledge wall to affirm their belief in non-violent social change, equality, justice, freedom and peace. Wall will stand through Jan. 19.

Monday, Jan. 15, King Holiday

7:30-9:30 a.m.: 14th annual Peace Breakfast, with speaker, Oregon Rep. Margaret Carter, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets through Jan. 12 at Memorial Union Business Office cashier's window, 541-737-4381. Cost is $4.50 students, $6.50 general admission.

1-5 p.m.: Bafa Bafa, interactive, cross-cultural awareness game to challenge participants' racial, ethnic and cultural stereotypes. Aid available for needs including sign language interpretation. Advance request required for needs as well as participation. Contact Dona Heyden, College of Science, 541-737-4811.

6:30 p.m.: Candlelight vigil, Memorial Union Quad, bring candles.

7 p.m.: Round Table Discussion, "Issues Important to Dr. King," Memorial Union Music Lounge. Facilitator, Barbara Paige, acting director of OSU's Difference, Power and Discrimination Program.

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Noon: Citizen and student awards will be presented at a Corvallis City Council meeting in the public library meeting room, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. The meeting will be followed by a Peace Walk to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, across the Willamette River from downtown, for a tree planting ceremony.

2:30-4 p.m.: Reception for Georgia attorney Mary Young- Cummings, who first gained national attention in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. OSU Black Cultural Center, 541-737-4372.

7 p.m.: Keynote address for Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration '96, "Make a Difference! Work for Justice," by Mary Young-Cummings, in OSU's LaSells Stewart Center, 26th Street and Western Boulevard.

Wednesday, Jan. 17

7 p.m.: "Help Make the Dream Come True," an interactive workshop focusing on the philosophy of Martin Luther King Jr., at OSU's International Forum, Memorial Union East.

Thursday, Jan. 18

7 p.m.: "Skin Deep," a video that traces the journey of a group of college students as they examine their attitudes about race. Their lives at home and at campus are explored, as well as their participation in a weekend retreat of interracial dialogue. A discussion, led by Larry Roper, OSU vice provost for Student Affairs, follows the video. Memorial Union Room 105.