DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 25, 2026

1. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Marker

Inscription.
With the support of NIU's governing board, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commons was commissioned December 8, 1983, and completed in 1992.

This bust of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, was created by Peter Fagan, and installed in 1993.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commons, with its walkways and greenery, marks the heart of our campus. In keeping with long-standing tradition at Northern Illinois University, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commons is a welcoming and designated space for the expression of ideas, the gathering of groups, and the commencement of civil discourse for all.

"You have a responsibility to seek to make life better for everybody. And so you must be involved in the struggle for freedom and justice."

Erected 1993.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Martin Luther King, Jr. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1983.

Location. 41° 56.106′ N, 88° 46.01′ W. Marker is in DeKalb, Illinois, in DeKalb

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County. It can be reached from Carroll Avenue south of Lucinda Avenue, on the left when traveling north. This marker is located to the south of the Holmes Student Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University. It sits inside the MLK Commons to the northwest of the Balance of Equality monument and close to the entrance of the student center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 349 Normal Road, Dekalb IL 60115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Unified and Diversified” Time Capsule (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Northern Illinois University 75th Anniversary Time Capsule (approx. 0.2 miles away); Northern Illinois State College Veterans Memorial (approx.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 25, 2026

2. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust

The Founders Memorial Library can be seen behind the bust in the photo

0.2 miles away); NIU Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of SFC Julianna Gehant (approx. 0.2 miles away); Barbed Wire Manufacturing (approx. 0.3 miles away); Northern Illinois University Entrance (approx. 0.4 miles away); Northern Illinois State Normal School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in DeKalb.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust Left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 25, 2026

3. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust Left

Neptune Hall can be seen in the right of the photo.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust from Behind image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew Stevens, August 25, 2026

4. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bust from Behind

The building in front of the bust is the Holmes Student Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. This page has been viewed 28 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 25, 2026, by Matthew Stevens of Washington, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.