Wilkes University will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Thurs. Jan. 24 with an event, “Do The Right Thing.” This event has been rescheduled from the original Jan. 22 event, due to weather. 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, first floor lounge, 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.
