SAN DIEGO — More than 500 members of the University of California, San Diego community will march in San Diego’s 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade. Following the parade, as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and UC San Diego’s Volunteer50 program, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Penny Rue, some 100 students, staff, faculty and alumni of the university, and San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez (District 8) will volunteer at the Sherman Heights Community Center.

“It is a long-standing tradition for our students, staff, faculty and alumni to march together in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade,” said Fox. “Embracing diversity is an essential part of UC San Diego’s dedication to education, research, service and patient care.”

UC San Diego has been involved with the parade for the past 23 years, with participation continually increasing. This year, registration to participate in the event was up 20 percent compared to last year. Members of all six colleges, including provosts, deans, faculty and students, will march behind a banner declaring the university’s parade theme, “Freedom through Education.”

The day following the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Sunday, Jan. 16, Fox will be honored by the Christ United Presbyterian Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration Committee for her efforts to promote diversity at UC San Diego in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I am honored to be recognized for the university’s efforts to improve diversity and unify a diverse campus community,” Fox said. “The strength of our campus community is measured by our commitment to social justice, equality and public service.”

The UC San Diego Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service project at the Sherman Community Heights Center is part of Fox’s Volunteer50 initiative, which encourages service and showcases the widespread and diverse contributions of the UC San Diego community, in commemoration of the university’s 50th anniversary. The Sherman Heights Community Center offers programs in education, health, personal development and culture. On Saturday, volunteers will paint benches and tables, remove grass and plants, and create a sustainable garden area.

“The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a ‘Beloved Community,’” said Councilmember Alvarez. “Thank you to UC San Diego for helping the community of Sherman Heights.”

To volunteer to be a part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, visit http://mlkday.ucsd.edu. For more information about UC San Diego’s 50th anniversary and Volunteer50, visit www.50th.ucsd.edu.