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Wilkes University Celebrates Martin Luther King Day With "Stick With Love" Event On January 16

State Sen. John Yudichak To Deliver Keynote Address

Wilkes-Barre, PA (01/11/2018) — Wilkes University celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the event "Stick With Love" on Tuesday, January 16. It will be highlighted by an address by state Sen. John Yudichak and also will include speeches and performances by University students and staff. The celebration will be at 11 a.m. in the ballroom of the Henry Student Center, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre. Lunch will be served for attendees. It is sponsored by the University's Office of Diversity Initiatives.

Wilkes President Patrick F. Leahy will deliver the welcome, followed by Yudichak's keynote address. Drawing inspiration from King's words, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear," participants will honor the civil rights leader's memory with words, music and dance.

"The legacy of peace and justice established by Dr. Martin Luther King continues to be important more than 50 years after his death," Leahy said. "At Wilkes University, celebrating his memory is an opportunity to honor the diversity among our students, faculty and staff. Furthermore, our commitment to providing access to education for all who show potential is an affirmation of all Dr. King fought to achieve."

"I have often heard President Leahy categorize Wilkes University as a private institution with a public mission," Yudichak said. "Today, I'm proud to join Wilkes University as it celebrates its public purpose by empowering the broad diversity of its students and faculty to commemorate the historic life of Dr. Martin Luther King."

Campus interfaith coordinator Kristin Osipower will deliver the invocation. Other speakers at the event will include Georgia Costalas, executive director of the Center for Global Education and Diversity, and student Conroy Yearde, vice president of the Multicultural Student Coalition.

Students Micaela Oliverio and Josh Shepherd will sing the United States National Anthem and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also known as the Black National Anthem. Members of the Wilkes African Cultural Association will perform dances reflecting their heritage. Food from Caribbean Paradise will be served.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 43 bachelor's degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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