READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting a banquet on Monday, Jan. 21. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. This event is free for the campus community but seating is limited and attendees must get their tickets in advance.
This year’s keynote speaker is Sophia J. Woodard, founder and CEO of ASHANTI Truth Consulting, entrepreneur, and author. During the banquet, awards will be presented to students who have demonstrated the characteristics for which King was known: leadership, community involvement, and commitment to social justice. Three Penn State Berks students were selected: senior Juan Migel Hingada, junior Hunter Beane, and sophomore Connor Birmingham.
For the second consecutive year, local high, middle, and elementary school students were eligible to receive an award at the banquet. This year, Muhlenberg High School senior Sidney Walker and Owen J. Roberts High School junior Sam DeFusco were selected.
Berks students were asked to nominate a faculty/staff member for an award. Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems, will receive the faculty award while Aubrey Edwards, academic adviser, will receive the staff award.
This event is sponsored by the Penn State Berks Diversity Committee and supported by the Berks Campus Arts and Cultural Fund and the Student Activity Fee. For additional information or to reserve a seat, contact Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, coordinator of diversity and international programs, at 610-396-6080 or via email at [email protected].
