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ALBANY, GA -- Martin Luther King Day is Monday, but his life was the center of attention at Albany State University on Thursday.

“This is the program of the year for us, this is when we pay tribute to all of the efforts of Dr. King,” said Sherrell Byrd, coordinator of the event.

Students and staff attended the school's annual MLK Convocation featuring performances and speakers.

“The message is continuing to pursue the promise that Dr. King spoke about during his efforts for equality and justice in our country. So we are just really just trying to instill in our students how important it is to continue to fight,” said Byrd.

For many of the student's, it isn't about one day or one week. They say the acts of Dr. King inspire them every day of their lives.

“The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, what he did for all of us in American society. He made America look at its ills and its faults and make change for the better,” said Xavier Jones.

“Dr. Martin Luther King, he was someone that was really great and really influential but, he gave his life for us to be here today, so we don't have an excuse not to be good citizens for everybody else and the future generations to come,” said Amber Bennett.

“You see African-Americans everywhere. In the work place, in large corporations and things like that, and probably never would have happened if some of these civil rights movements wouldn't have come about,” said Kyle Bass.

“One person can make a change no matter how big or how small, you can make a difference and he proved that,” said Byrd.

Marine Corps Logistics Base Command Chaplain Kenneth Miller was the keynote speaker at the convocation.

Miller encouraged ASU students to always strive to achieve their full potential. He says Dr. King's contributions have paved the way for generations to come.

“Personally, what he has done for me? Look at me; I’m a black guy in a uniform in the military, an officer and commanding chapel in the base. Those things couldn't be done back in the day. If it had not been for someone like King who came along, the opportunities that we have now probably wouldn't exist,” said Miller.

Miller's wife teaches at ASU and his son is a student there.

A larger Martin Luther King Day event is planned at the Albany Civic Center on the actual holiday. ASU held theirs today because the university will not be holding classes on Monday.