Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2009, 'A Legacy of Hope,' offers speakers, events

Jan. 12, 2009 -- Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s Office of Multicultural Affairs announces this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, “A Legacy of Hope.” Various events will take place throughout Jonesboro and on the campus of ASU-Jonesboro.

On Monday, Jan. 19, the northeast Arkansas and citywide observance of Martin Luther King Day will begin at 10 a.m. with a parade starting at Fisher Street Church of God in Christ, 125 N. Fisher Street, near Bill's Fresh Market, corner of Johnson Avenue and Fisher Street. The parade route will follow Johnson Avenue to Arkansas State University’s Centennial Hall, located in the Reng Student Services Center/Student Union (101 N. Caraway Road). The post-parade program in Centennial Hall will begin at 11 a.m. and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Lonnie R. Williams, ASU’s associate vice chancellor, Student Affairs.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10:30 a.m., in the Student Union Auditorium, ASU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will hold a presidential inauguration reception in honor of President-elect Barak Obama’s historic ascension to the presidency of the United States of America. Kimberley Johnson, assistant dean of students, says “This event allows our student body, faculty, and staff to come together in sharing a momentous event in our nation’s history.” Light refreshments will be served in the Heritage lounge after the inauguration ceremony.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity presents an art exhibition, “A Night with Martin and Friends,” at 7 p.m. in Centennial Hall. This event will showcase several pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as special art pieces from the community.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, ASU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration concludes with speaker Dr. Samuel Billy Kyles, who will discuss the legacy of Dr. King. Dr. Kyles, the last living eyewitness to the assassination of Dr. King, will speak at 6 p.m. in the Student Union. (For information about Dr. Kyles and other civil rights leaders, visit The History Makers oral history project on the Web at http://www.thehistorymakers.com/.)

For more information, contact Kimberley Johnson, assistant dean of students, at (870) 972-2055, or e-mail krjohns@astate.edu.
            

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