ISSUED: 4 January 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Note: The community service events have been postponed, and the Homage Exhibit of African American hours have been changed due to predicted inclement weather. The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesday, January 18, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Erma Ora Byrd Hall atrium.
Shepherd University will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting the Homage Exhibit of African American history and culture and performing community service at various nonprofit organizations in the region.
The public is invited to view the Homage Exhibit Tour on Monday, January 17, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Student Center Storer Ballroom and Tuesday, January 18, from noon-6 p.m. in Erma Ora Byrd Hall.
The Homage Exhibit Tour features more than 500 select items from the private collection of Nia and Morris McAdoo of Charlotte, North Carolina. It opens the door to the African American experience in the United States from the time of slavery to the election of President Barack Obama. The exhibit includes original historical documents, artwork, newspapers, press photos, letters, and books, with display items changing from exhibit to exhibit.
In support of the social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, Shepherd’s Athletics Department will partner with Dr. Chiquita Howard-Bostic, associate vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusivity, to offer football and basketball players a workshop following the exhibit on Tuesday.
On Monday, January 17, students, faculty, and staff will volunteer for projects at the Boys & Girls Club and Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center Shelter in Martinsburg, the C&O Canal Trust working along the C&O Canal, Potomac Valley Audubon Society Cool Spring Nature Preserve in Charles Town, Shepherdstown Fire Department, and Shepherd University Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm.
Students will be participating in various on-campus activities including making blankets for the Jefferson County cold weather shelter and learning about the homeless population, and meeting with Habitat for Humanity representatives to learn about and volunteer to help with a house the organization is building in Shepherdstown.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities are sponsored by the Bonne and Bill Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communication’s ListenLearnEngage Initiative, Shepherd’s Division of Student Affairs, Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity, and Athletics Department.
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