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HOUGHTON -- Touching words familiar from our history were spoken by a familiar face--Barry Scott, an African American author and actor.

Scott has spent much of his life studying Martin Luther King, Jr., and on Monday, he brought his expertise to Michigan Tech.  He recited the famous "I have a dream" speech for students and faculty on the steps of the Memorial Union Building.

"Perhaps by saying the words and breathing them into life again, it will cause more conversation and dialogue about what is America's dream today," said Scott.

Following the speech re-enactment, the entire crowd walked together several blocks to the Rozsa Center in a candlelight vigil, commemorating unity.  At the Rozsa Center, Scott spoke of King's relevance today.

"All the things that King talked about in his dream speech have come to pass, but still there's a pessimism about race relations," Scott said.  "He had a dream, but he really had a plan, he had hope."

And perhaps the most impressive part of the ceremony was the mix of people in attendance.

"I'll tell you, one of the things that was very interesting about today's event is that we did have quite a few people from a variety of different backgrounds, from racial groups to ethnic groups to religious groups and affiliations, " said Shezwae Fleming, director of MTU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion.  "That tells me that we're pointed in the right direction."

And to continue in that direction, Tech gave its students Monday off to pay tribute to what would have been the 82nd birthday of the visionary Dr. King.