Lincoln Park to host annual MLK Day celebration

MIDLAND, PA (Jan. 9, 2017) – The Midland Women’s Civic Club will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration in the MainStage Theater at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland on Monday, January 16, 2017. The event begins with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in Alumni Hall.

For more than a decade, this annual event has evolved to become the largest MLK Day celebration in Western Pennsylvania. This year’s theme is “The Path To Our Dreams.”

Keynote Speaker Dr. Christopher B. Howard, the newly inaugurated eighth president of Robert Morris University, will speak at 1 p.m. in the MainStage Theater. Dr. Howard is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Rhodes scholar, who earned his doctorate in politics at the University of Oxford and an M.B.A. with distinction from the Harvard Business School.

A retired Air Force reserve lieutenant colonel, Dr. Howard served as a helicopter pilot after earning his doctorate, and then became an intelligence officer for the elite Joint Special Operations Command. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
Prior to his appointment as president of RMU, Dr. Howard for six years was the president of Hampden-Sydney College, a private, liberal arts college near Richmond, Va.

Dr. Howard’s wife, Barbara Noble Howard, is a presenter who will speak to the future of our children and her role as director of the “Impact Young Lives Foundation.”

Dr. Todd Allen, Beaver Falls native and Grove City College professor of communication studies, will host an educators-only professional development session. Dr. Allen previously taught communications for more than 20 years at Geneva College and has led the annual “Returning to the Roots of Civil Rights” tour.

“This is not only a day of professional development for educators who can earn Act 48 credits, but it is also an uplifting and enriching experience influenced by this great American civil rights leader,” said Stephanie Pennington, MLK program chairperson.

The day will include a luncheon in Alumni Hall, a silent auction and raffle, as well as musical performances, spoken word and video presentations from students, alumni and community groups.

Proceeds from the annual MLK celebration help fund scholarships to deserving young students. A limited number of tickets are still available from civic club members.

The schedule of events for this year is as follows:

10:00 Arrival / Registration
10:15 Dr. Todd Allen presentation – Main Stage Theater
11:30 Luncheon – Alumni Hall
1:00 The Path To Our Dreams presentation – Main Stage Theater
• Presenter – Barbara Noble Howard
• Keynote Speaker – Dr. Christopher B. Howard
2:00 Announcement of Auction / Raffle Winners and Dismissal

Media coverage is welcome.

MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Larissa Dudkiewicz
(724) 576-4644 ext. 1150
ldudkiewicz@lincolnlearningsolutions.org[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]