UF's weeklong celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. came to a close Tuesday evening with a candlelight vigil.
During a speech at the Reitz Union Amphitheater, UF President Bernie Machen said students have always been at the center of the civil rights movement, and King, a civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968, lives on through them.
"All of you can be the conscience of Dr. Martin Luther King," Machen told attendees.
"We need your help. We need you to step up and take up the challenge that he put before us all those many years ago."
He said King's words and beliefs are just as important today as they were when he said them.
"We celebrate him more and more every year as we realize what he means to our lives and what he means to our country," Machen said.
About 150 people attended the vigil, which was sponsored by the Campus Ministry Cooperative, the Dean of Students Office, Student Government and the Reitz Union.
After speeches, songs and readings of excerpts written by King, attendees slowly lit candles to represent his memory.
Anthony Crenshaw, director of UF's Institute of Black Culture, told the crowd that the way the candles were lit represents how change takes place. The fire starts with one person, and with time, it spreads to the rest.
"Whether you choose to take this candle with you, please take the light with you," he said.
As the evening came to a close, Crenshaw lit his candle and passed the flame throughout the audience.
Once everyone's candle was lit, the crowd shared a moment of silence to honor King and reflect on Bachmann's challenge.
"What is the flame that you will bring to this world?" Bachmann said.
