Publsihed Jan. 12, 2010 Area schools have a few ideas on how to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, coming up Monday.<\/P> Students at Washington State University Tri-Cities will hold a civil rights discussion at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. <\/P> Paul Strand, WSU Tri-Cities associate professor of psychology, will moderate a panel of six community leaders who will discuss civil rights achievements and today’s challenges, said Robin Mitchell, secretary of the WSU Tri-Cities Multicultural Club.<\/P> The club is sponsoring the event with the African American Community Cultural and Education Society, the Engineering Club, Business Club, Northwest Collegiate Ministries and Associated Students of WSU Tri-Cities. <\/P> After the panel discussion, the audience will have a chance to comment and ask questions, Mitchell said.<\/P> The panel includes Kimberly Camp, Hanford Reach Interpretive Center CEO; Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg; attorney Norma Rodriguez; Martin Valadez, Columbia Basin College vice president for diversity and outreach; Mark Nathan Lee, Vista Youth Center director; and Joshua Wretzel, WSU Tri-Cities adjunct professor of philosophy.<\/P> The free annual event can seat 350, Mitchell said. Last year, 280 attended. <\/P> “We want to emphasize that Martin Luther King Jr. (Day) is a holiday for all Americans,” Mitchell said. “And we choose to celebrate and honor those who strive for inclusion and equality.”<\/P> After the panel, a jazz concert will begin at 7:45 p.m. with a free buffet dinner for the first 350 attendees. <\/P> The concert will feature the trio of pianist Larry Fuller of the John Pizzarelli Quartet, D’vonne Lewis and Phil Sparks. During the second set, Shilah Phillips, who in 2006 was the first black woman to be crowned Miss Texas, will sing.<\/P> The Multicultural Club also will recognize some community members who show commitment to diversity with awards during the event, Mitchell said. <\/P> Melissa O’Neil Perdue, WSU Tri-Cities marketing manager, said the college is proud of its students’ initiative in taking a leadership role in the community conversation. About 18 percent of WSU Tri-Cities’ 1,500 students describe themselves as people of color, she said. <\/P> Other MLK events planned include:<\/STRONG><\/P> — CBC will hold the 19th annual Martin Luther King Bell-Ringing Ceremony on Monday at noon at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue outside Thorton Center on the Pasco campus. <\/P> The program includes a short presentation, the ceremonial bell-ringing and a keynote address by Camp of the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center. <\/P> CBC President Richard Cummins will announce and introduce the Martin Luther King Spirit Award winner. The MLK Spirit Award is given to an individual who has inspired positive social change in the community in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.<\/P> David Arnold, CBC intercultural studies professor, will deliver the faculty address and the Federation of Choirs will perform.<\/P> Refreshments and activities for children will follow the ceremony. For more information, call 542-4835.<\/P> — Edgar D. Hargrow will give a public presentation on the civil rights movement at 1 p.m. Friday at New Horizons Alternative High School in Pasco. A question and answer session will follow.<\/P>
<\/SPAN>By Kristi Pihl, Tri-City Herald staff writer
How do you remember a great man?<\/P>