The 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Community Celebration is Friday, Jan. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Gemmell Student Complex Multi-Purpose room. The program is free and open to the public.
The keynote speakers are Dr. Todd Pfannestiel, professor of history at Clarion University, and Dr. Cahndice Matthews, assistant professor of education at Clarion University, who will present,"A 2009 Conversation with Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks."
In their presentation they will create a conversation between Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. It will discuss such topics as the Montgomery Bus Boycott (for which Parks was the catalyst and was truly the first big event that drew King into the national civil rights struggle), the March on Washington, the murder of Emmett Till, James Meredith's efforts to integrate the University of Mississippi, the Little Rock Central Crisis, etc.
They will also address the recent election of Obama as our nation's first African-American president.
"It should be an entertaining and lively discussion," said Pfannestiel. "Dr. Matthews lived through many of the struggles listed above. And I, as a historian who teaches African-American civil rights, undertand many of the intricate details regarding these struggles. Our hope is, that rather than lecturing to the audience, we can engage them by taking on the personas of these two great civil rights leaders."
Also scheduled to participate in the evening are the Buffalo Soldiers from VisionQuest, Clarion University's Lift Every Voice Choir, and student recitations. Food will be available and door prizes awarded.
Amil Cook, a graduate student seeking a degree education, will be the master of ceremony. He is a son of Sally Cook of Randolph, Maine.
Sponsoring the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Community Celebration are Clarion University, Clarion University African American Caucus, and Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry.
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.
