Bowling Green, Ky. - "Explore the Past – Understand the Future" is the theme for Black History Month 2005 at Western Kentucky University.

Activities begin next Tuesday and continue through February.

"The theme is derived from the adage which emphasizes that one must know from where they came to know where they are going," said Dr. Monica Burke, associate director of Diversity Programs. "People who recognize their past will have a better blueprint for their future. Exploring increases one's knowledge and understanding can promote successful relationships and better practices.

"Black Americans have played a significant role in shaping who we are as a nation today and continue to play an important role in various fields."

Among the Black History Month events are the following (admission is free unless noted):

Feb. 1: Soul Food Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Downing University Center, fourth floor.

Feb. 1: Author Jacinda Townsend, 7 p.m., Cherry Hall, room 125. Townsend, who grew up in Bowling Green, teaches at Southwest Missouri State.

Feb. 3: Author and poet Nikky Finney, 3 p.m. at WKU-Glasgow Campus and 7 p.m. at WKU South Campus.

Feb. 8: Award-winning African film "Moolade," 7:30 p.m., Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium.

Feb. 10: Lecture by Dr. Rickey Jones, author of "Black Haze," 7 p.m., Downing University Center, room 340.

Feb. 12: Crimson and Cream Ball, 10:30 p.m., Knicely Conference Center. Tickets are $12 in advance or $20 at the door for singles and $22 in advance or $30 at the door for couples.

Feb. 19: Black Talent Showcase, 6 p.m., Girls Inc.

Feb. 21: Black History Month Comedy Show featuring Rickey Smiley and Steve Brown, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Van Meter Auditorium. Advance student tickets for the 6 p.m. show are $5; all other tickets for both shows are $15.

Feb. 24: Author Pandora Jackson-Sears, 6:30 p.m., Bowling Green Public Library.

Feb. 24: Sun Down, Sun Up, 9 p.m., Nite Class in Downing University Center.

Feb. 24: Remembering Our History, 8 p.m., Downing University Center Theater. Tickets are $1.

Feb. 26: Black History Month Banquet, 7 p.m., Knicely Conference Center.

Two Black History Month exhibits – "Our Community is Your Community" and "African American Artists of Warren County" -- are on display at the Kentucky Museum.

WKYU-PBS, Western's public television, also will broadcast several Black History Month programs throughout February. (For program descriptions, visit www.wkyu.org or www.pbs.org)

For a schedule of Black History Month activities, click on http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/StuAffairs/calendar/Black History Month 2005-WKU.pdf

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Monica Burke at (270) 745-5066