Unity Week events planned at New Kensington

Upcoming community events celebrate MLK, diversity, inclusion
Unity candle on table

A unity candle sits upon a table at the annual Penn State New Kensington Celebration of Unity Dinner. The 2019 10th anniversary event is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Athletic Center.

Credit: Penn State New Kensington

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington will celebrate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and promote diversity and inclusion through a series of events during the campus’ Unity Week, to be held Jan. 28. to Feb 1.

The program series includes a variety of events open to the campus community and the public, with the highlight being annual Celebration of Unity community dinner on Jan 29, co-sponsored by the campus and Hightower Scholars, Inc. This year’s dinner theme is “The Beloved Community” and will feature a special performance by the Heart of Worship Dance Troupe of New Kensington, as well as the annual lighting of the unity candle. Winners of the annual elementary school student essay contest will also read their winning essays and Valley High School students will host a poster presentation on the topic of “Reimagining the City of New Kensington” during the event.

Members of the public are invited to participate and attend the events below noted as “open to the public.”

For more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 724-334-6062.

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Celebration of Unity Dinner – open to the public, reservations required

Co-Sponsored by Hightower Scholars Inc.

Join the campus and members of the community for this annual dinner, a performance by the Heart of Worship Dance Troupe, elementary school essay contest winners’ readings, high school poster presentation and lighting of the unity candle.

5:30 p.m. in the Athletic Center.

Reservations are required. Please register by Jan. 23 by emailing [email protected] or calling 724-334-6062.

Wednesday, Jan. 30

Volunteer and Human Rights Advocacy Fair – open to the public

Learn more about local nonprofit organizations and volunteer/internship opportunities.

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Junction and Theatre lobbies

Thursday, Jan. 30

Stand for State Bystander Intervention Workshop

12:10 to 1:10 p.m. in Conference Center 051

Students are invited to attend this workshop to learn how to be a bystander who can intervene against bias, hate and discrimination.

Register online at https://tinyurl.com/S4Sbias or contact Michele Marcks at [email protected].