Campus Life

Penn State Behrend to honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Commemorative program begins Jan. 18

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of programming beginning Jan. 18. Credit: Can Stock PhotoAll Rights Reserved.

ERIE, Pa. — Penn State Behrend will honor Martin Luther King Jr. with a week of events and activities beginning Monday, Jan. 18.

The program begins at noon in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building with a multimedia presentation, “Sit-Ins & Standing Ups.” The presentation recaps a history of student activism during the civil rights movement and beyond. A campus family brunch will precede “Sit-Ins & Standing Ups,” beginning at 11 a.m.

The following events will also be held throughout the week:

Monday, Jan. 18:

“I AM…” march. Students, faculty members and staff are encouraged to join the Association of Black Collegians for a march around campus to honor King’s legacy. A casual discussion to reflect on King’s ideals in relation to personal experiences will follow the march. Hot chocolate, doughnuts and cookies will be served. (2 p.m., McGarvey Commons)

Tuesday, Jan. 19:

Penn State Behrend Performance Band concert. Listen to the sounds of the Penn State Behrend Performance Band, which will play songs from the civil rights era. (7 p.m., Bruno’s Café)

Wednesday, Jan. 20:

NAACP ‘I have a Dream’ poetry slam. Every performer must begin his or her reading with the line, “I have a dream.” (6 p.m., Bruno’s Café)

Thursday, Jan. 21:

Film screening: “The Help.” The film follows the story of southern society girl Skeeter, who returns home from college with dreams of being a writer. She turns her small town upside down when she chooses to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent white families. (10 p.m., Reed Auditorium. The film will be shown again at 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.)

Saturday, Jan. 23:

Film screening: “Lee Daniels’ The Butler.” Over the course of three decades, Cecil Gaines has a front-row seat to history and the inner workings of the Oval Office as he works as a butler at the White House. However, his commitment to his “First Family” leads to tension at home and ultimately alienates his wife and causes conflict with his anti-establishment son. (10 p.m., Reed Auditorium. The film will be shown again at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24.)

Penn State Behrend’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration is sponsored by the Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs and the student activity fee. For more information, call 898-7101 or email DiversityBehrend@psu.edu.

Last Updated January 12, 2016

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