Wilkes University Observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day With Event on Jan. 22

Wilkes-Barre, PA (01/15/2019) — Wilkes University will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 22 with an event, "Do The Right Thing." Sponsored in collaboration with the Campus Interfaith office and the office of Diversity Affairs, it will take place from 11 a.m. to noon in the Henry Student Center Ballroom, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre. The event theme draws from a famous King sermon, in which he stated, "The time is always right to do what is right. "

The keynote speaker at the event will be Rosana Reyes, vice president of enrollment management and student development at Luzerne County Community College. Reyes was the co-recipient of 2018 innovation award from the National League of Innovation, and was recently awarded the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers 2019 Centennial Award for Excellence. She earned a bachelor's degree in forensic psychology and a master's degree in public administration with a concentration in fiscal analysis and oversight from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Reyes is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Wilkes University.

The Black National Anthem will be performed by Wilkes students Joshua Shepard, Brianna Rowland and Mmachi Dimoriaku. Shaelyn Briggs will perform the American National Anthem. The invocation will be given by Kristin Osipower, interfaith coordinator. Wilkes student Abie Pessima will read a poem from Maya Angelou preceding a welcome by President Patrick F. Leahy. Multicultural Student Coalition president Conroy Yearde will speak and the Wilkes African Cultural Association will perform a dance.

Following the event, Wilkes students will have the opportunity to participate in a service project from 3:30-5 p.m. in collaboration with the toddler group at the Catholic Youth Center. Students will have the opportunity to engage with children and enrich their normal routine through interactive activities.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian 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 nation's finest small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 47 majors, 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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