UNITY DAY
Tuesday, Jan. 17, Conference Center
Volunteer and Non-Profit Organization Information Fair
2:00-4:00 p.m., Theatre Llobby, Front Lobby
"Political Engagement and Minority Populations" Panel Discussion
4:00-5:00 p.m., Art Gallery
"Celebration of Unity" Potluck Dinner
5:00-6:30 p.m., Conference Center
Penn State New Kensington and Hightower Scholars Inc, in conjunction with the local church community, will join together on Tuesday, Jan. 17, to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
"Unity Day" will feature an information fair, panel discussion, dinner and a community presentation. The highlight of the evening will be the lighting of the unity candle by members of the campus, community, local businesses and neighborhood churches. All events are held at the New Kensington campus on State Route 780 in Upper Burrell Township.
Diane Hightower, executive director of Hightower Scholars, a nonprofit organization, and Theresa Bonk, director of student affairs at the campus, developed a multi-media program for the 82nd anniversary of King's birth. Kevin Snider, chancellor at the New Kensington campus, will deliver the opening remarks. Community service and community partnerships are the cornerstone of Snider’s vision to make the Alle-Kiski Valley an even better place to live, work and learn.
The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. with the "Volunteers and Non-profit Organization Information Fair" in the theatre and front lobbies at the campus. Non-profits will talk about volunteer opportunities for the local community. Organizations at the fair include United Way of Westmoreland County, Alle-Kiski Hope Center, American Red Cross, Westmoreland County Food Bank and Faith in Action.
Following the fair at 4 p.m. will be the panel discussion, “Political Engagement of Minority Populations” in the campus art gallery. The panel features Dana Brown, executive director of PA Center for Women, Politics and Public Safety at Chatham University; Mitch Nichols, pastor of Bibleway Christian Fellowship Church, faculty member of Geneva College, and TV host of “A Nichols Worth;” Craig Hammond, assistant professor of history at Penn State New Kensington; Thom King, member of New Kensington-Arnold School District; and Liz Hayes, reporter for the Valley News Dispatch. The moderator is Valerie McDonald Roberts, manager of the Department of Real Estate for Allegheny County.
The “Celebration of Unity” begins at 5 p.m. in the Conference Center and features the lighting of the unity candle and a potluck fellowship dinner. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish that can feed 10-15 people.
All events are free to the public. Attendees are encouraged to R.S.V.P. for the dinner at 724-334-6062.
In honor of the slain civil rights leader, there will be no classes at Penn State New Kensington on Jan. 16, the federal holiday commemorating King’s birthday. However, the campus will be open and staffed.
Headquartered in Lower Burrell, Pa., Hightower Scholars assists students with their preparation for a postsecondary education at a college or university. The campus scholarship, Mittie B. Hightower Memorial Scholarship, was established to support a minority student majoring in allied health fields or science programs. The current recipients are Raymone Thomas, a nursing major, and Lydia Johnson, a radiological sciences major.
For more on Hightower Scholars, visit http://www.hscholars.org/ online.
UNITY DAY PROGRAM
All events are free and open to the public.
Please RSVP for the fellowship dinner, 724-334-6062
“Volunteer and Non-Profit Organization Information Fair”
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.; Theatre and Upper Lobbies
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:
United Way of Westmoreland County
YMCA
American Red Cross
Westmoreland County Food Bank
Faith in Action
Rotoract of PSNK
THON
AK Valley Heritage Museum
Alle-Kiski Hope Center
“Political Engagement of Minority Populations” Panel Discussion
4:00-5:00 p.m., Art Gallery
WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS: Dr. Kevin Snider, Chancellor Penn State New Kensington
INTRODUCTIONS: Theresa Bonk, Director of Student Affairs
MODERATOR’S REMARKS: Valerie McDonald Roberts, Executive Director,
Department of Real estate, Allegheny County
PANELISTS:
Dana Brown, Director of the PA Center for Women, Politics and Public Safety, Chatham University
Elizabeth Hayes, Journalist, Valley News Dispatch
Dr. Mitch Nickols, Pastor, Bibleway Church, Faculty, Geneva College
Thom King, Former Director, New Kensington-Arnold School Board
Dr. John C. Hammond, Assistant Professor of History, Penn State New kensington
QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD
CLOSING REMARKS: Theresa Bonk
“Celebration of Unity”
5:00-6:30 p.m., Conference Center
WELCOME: Dr. Snider
REMARKS: Diane Hightower , Executive Director, Hightower Scholars Inc; Dean of Students, Westmoreland County Community College
POEM READING: Hannah McBean, Author and Poet, Adult Student, OLEAD program, Penn State New Kensington resident
INVOCATION
DINNER
CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Candle 1 – Dr. Kevin Snider
Candle 2 - Hightower Scholar
Candle 3 – Monsignor Gaston, Pastor, St Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Candle 4 – Myquan Harris-Moore, SGA President, Penn State New Kensington
Candle 5- Westmoreland County Community College Student
Candle 6 - Community Representative
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
Documentary and Musical Performance - Linda Brown, Organist, Mt. Calvary Church
CLOSING REMARKS – Diane Hightower