January 30, 2001

WKU Plans Black History Month Activities

Bowling Green, Ky. - "Celebrating America's Heritage: Reflecting, Emerging, Building" is the theme for Black History Month activities at Western Kentucky University.

The theme represents a "look back on the significant contributions African Americans have made to the emerging nation and continue to build upon that," said Dr. Monica Burke, associate director of Minority Student Support Services at WKU.

"Black History Month celebrates the diversity of America" and brings campus groups together, she said. Event sponsors include Minority Student Support Services, Housing and Residence Life, Admissions, Career Services, Campus Activities Board, Kentucky Building, WKYU-FM and Greek organizations.

Among the month's highlights are a kickoff featuring the Village Drum and Dance Corps on Feb. 5, a presentation on relationships on Feb. 13, a career fair workshop on Feb. 14 and 15, spring preview day on Feb. 17, a re-creation of Harlem's Cotton Club on Feb. 23 and a Black History Month banquet on Feb. 24.

Western's Public Radio, WKYU-FM, will celebrate Black History Month with a series of programs at 7 p.m. Thursdays and the Kentucky Museum will present several African-American exhibits.

The Black History Month schedule includes:

Feb. 5: Black History Month Kickoff, featuring the Village Drum & Dance Corp., 11:30 a.m. at Downing University Center second floor lobby.

Feb. 12: Soul Food Dinner, 7 p.m. at Downing University Center, Room 340

Feb. 13: "Black Thighs, Black Guys and Bedroom Lies," a presentation on relationships and sexuality on college campuses by Hasani Pettiford, a professional speaker, author, and television personality, 7 p.m. at Grise Hall Auditorium

Feb. 14 and 15: Job fair workshops, sponsored by Career Services for those attending the Feb. 27 Nashville Area Teacher Recruitment Fair and Nashville College to Career Fair, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Cravens Graduate Center, Room 210

Feb. 15: Panel discussion on "Communication within the Black Family," 8 p.m. at Downing University Center, Room 226

Feb. 17: Spring Preview Day at WKU for minority students who are high school juniors and seniors; registration is 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; opening remarks at 10 a.m.

Feb. 17: Concert by Kentucky State University Choir, 4 p.m. at Fountain Square Church

Feb. 17: Crimson & Cream Ball, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at The Ellis Place

Feb. 18: Poetry Reading by Dr. Lou-Ann Crouther, 3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble

Feb. 19: Panel discussion on "Breaking into Greekdom," 7 p.m. at Downing University Center Theater

Feb. 20: The Alvin Ailey Dancers, 8 p.m. at The Capitol Arts Center

Feb. 22: Art workshop featuring sculptor Ed Hamilton, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center

Feb. 23: Art workshop featuring sculptor Ed Hamilton, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Fine Arts Center; a reception and open house, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Feb. 23: The Cotton Club, 8 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center ballroom

Feb. 24: Black History Month Banquet, 7 p.m. at WKU South Campus

Feb. 26: Forum on Black Love, 7 p.m. at Downing University Center, Room 340

For more information, contact Dr. Monica Burke at (270) 745-5066. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.