Campus Life

Unity Week events planned at New Kensington

Upcoming events celebrate MLK, diversity, inclusion

Members of the Penn State New Kensington campus and the local community gather annually for the Celebration of Unity dinner.  Credit: Penn State New Kensington / Penn State. Creative Commons

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington will celebrate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promote diversity and inclusion through a series of events during the campus’ Unity Week, held from Jan. 22. to 31.

The week-long series, titled “A Call to Peace and Action,” includes a variety of events open to the campus community and the public. 

One of the major highlights of the series is the annual Celebration of Unity community dinner. This year’s event features a gospel performance by Pittsburgh’s Sunya Wilson and her daughters Kristan and Danielle. Readings from winners of an MLK essay contest held for local elementary school students from Mary Queen of Apostles and New Kensington-Arnold School District’s Roy A. Hunt elementary school will also be presented.

Members of the public are invited to participate and attend the events below noted as “open to the public.”

For more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 724-334-6062.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Volunteer and Human Rights Advocacy Fair — Open to the public

Learn more about local nonprofit organizations and volunteer/internship opportunities

11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Junction and Theatre lobbies

Thursday, Jan. 25

Celebration of Unity Community Dinner – Open to the public

Co-sponsored by Hightower Scholars, Inc.

Join the campus and members of the community for this annual dinner, a gospel performance with Sunya Wilson and daughters Kristan and Danielle; lighting of a unity candle; and readings from the elementary school essay contest.

5:30 p.m. in the Conference Center.

Register by emailing pmd14@psu.edu by Jan. 23.

Friday, Jan. 26

LGBTQ Advocacy Event sponsored by the Penn State New Kensington Student Government Association

Participate in a special paw print activity

Noon–1:30 p.m. in Café 780

Monday, Jan. 29

Odd Rodd, spoken word artist performance — Open to the public

12:15 p.m. in Café 780

Tuesday, Jan. 30

Bias/Discrimination Intervention Workshop

Noon–1 p.m. in the Art Gallery

Register by emailing mum889@psu.edu.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

All-Campus Diversity Alliance Celebration sponsored by the Penn State New Kensington Student Government Association and Office of Student Life

Enjoy international cuisine and wear Unity Week shirts.

12:05 p.m.–1:10 p.m. in Café 780

Last Updated January 16, 2018