PSU, Community Plan Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Jan. 17
January 11, 2001
University Park, Pa. — Penn State and the State College community are holding a Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative march on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Pre-march activities will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of Old Main and the march itself will begin at 12:05 p.m. from Old Main. It will travel south to College Avenue, go east along College Avenue to Shortledge Road, travel north to the HUB where it will conclude in Heritage Hall.

About 300 students from the State College School District will participate, as will Penn State student, faculty, staff and members of the community. Last year, about 400 participated in the march.

"The march will commemorate the civil rights marches led by Dr. King in the 1960s, and acknowledges the struggles for equal rights for all people that continue today," says Captain Rick Coons, Penn State Air Force ROTC and chair of the office of Undergraduate Education Diversity Enhancement Team. The march is sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Education in conjunction with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

Pre-march speakers include Penn State President Graham Spanier, John Chair, provost and dean of undergraduate education, State College Mayor Bill Welch, Reverend Harold McKenzie, pastor of the Unity Church of Jesus Christ in State College, and Captain Coons. Terri Dowdy, local gospel recording artist, will lead the group sing, and David Dolbin, principal of the Park Forest Middle School, will introduce several school students who will read their short essays about Dr. King.

Post-march activities include music by the Essence of Joy choir led by Tony Leach, the State College High School Drill Team and closing remarks by Cathleen Love, associate dean for undergraduate education.

For more information, contact Captain Rick Coons or Sue Irwin at 865-5453.