King commemoration activities

Jan. 12, 2000
University Park, Pa. — Penn State will integrate the performing arts with service activities during its commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to be held Jan. 15-18. Many of the scheduled events will include actors, dancers, choir singers and bellringers from the Penn State and local communities. All performances are free and open to the public.

The commemoration will begin at 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15 with the 25^th annual Forum on Black Affairs Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet. In keeping with the theme, "Martin Luther King Jr.: Trumpet of Conscience," students will give a theatrical presentation related to civil rights and King’s contributions to this movement

On Sunday, Jan. 16 at Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State President Graham B. Spanier will introduce keynote speaker Vincent Harding, co-chairman of the Gandhi-Hamer-King Center for the Study of Religion and Democratic Renewal at The Iliff School of Theology in Denver. Performances will be given by the Essence of Joy and Essence 2 choirs, led by Tony Leach, musical director, and the NOMMO performing arts company, led by Donna Charles, artistic director.

The commemorative bell-ringing ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 17 at Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Cultural Center. The program will feature music by Our Lady of Victory Church Westminster Bell Choir, the Suzuki Strings, and the State College Area School District Chamber Singers.

At 6:30 p.m., Jan. 17, Essence of Joy and NOMMO performers will join the National Pan-Hellenic Council step dancers at a USG celebration in Rec Hall. The keynote speaker will be Thurman Evans, founder and CEO of WholeLife Associates, Inc.

In addition, to extend intercultural understanding and civility among students, Murry R. Nelson, chair of the University Faculty Senate, has urged faculty scheduled to teach diversity or cultural history classes this semester to incorporate Martin Luther King Jr. activities and information into their courses.

•Saturday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m in the Penn Stater Conference Center and Hotel, President’s Hall. Forum on Black Affairs 25^th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet. The theme is "Martin Luther King Jr.: Trumpet of Conscience." For tickets, call (814) 863-1441.

•Sunday, Jan. 16, 8 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium. Keynote speaker Vincent Harding will give a speech titled "A King for the 21^st Century." The Essence of Joy and Essence 2 choirs and NOMMO performing arts company will also perform. Free admission.

•Monday, Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m., Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Cultural Center. Commemorative bell-ringing ceremony. All are invited.

•Monday, Jan. 17. USG Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. USG will coordinate service opportunities with the Penn State community and Centre County. For more information, contact Lauren Grayson at or at (814) 862-1411. Day of Service activities are also online at http://WWW.CLUBS.PSU.EDU/USG/MLK/default.htm.

•Monday, Jan. 17, 6:30-10 p.m., Rec Hall. USG Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Rec Hall Celebration. The keynote speaker will be Thurman Evans, founder and CEO of WholeLife Associates, Inc. Performances will be given by the National Pan-Hellenic Council step dancers, NOMMO, Essence of Joy choir, and United Soul Ensemble.

•Monday, Jan. 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., room 019, HUB-Robeson Cultural Center. Films about Martin Luther King Jr. Continuous showings.

•Tuesday, Jan. 18, 9:30-11 a.m., Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Cultural Center. A conversation with Vincent Harding, the keynote speaker for the commemoration. Harding and moderator Charles Dumas will offer their reflections on their journey from activism to academe and recent King scholarship. Open to all.

•Friday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. Volunteer fair featuring local agencies and organizations. For more information, call (814) 863-4624.

Members of the 2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Planning Committee include: Thomas G. Poole, chair; Eileen M. Williams, staff support, and Lydia Abdullah, Lea Asbell-Swanger, Deborah Atwater, Cameron F. Bausch, Eleanor L. Beaver, Kenneth I. Clarke, James Elliott, Carol German, Desha Girod, Lauren Grayson, Anthony Leach, Robert E. Leonard, Laurel Martin, Murry R. Nelson, Christy Rambeau, Karen Rugh, Jerry Sawyer, Shipra Sharma, Karen Trimbath, Lisa Wandel, and Lawrence Young.