BATESVILLE, Arkansas — The Lyon College Black Student Association and Black History Month Committee invite the campus and community to take part in a series of spring events focused on remembrance, celebration and community engagement.
The schedule begins Monday, Jan. 19, with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m. in Patterson Dining Hall in Edwards Commons on the Lyon College campus, 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville. The theme of this year’s program is “Mission Possible.”
The keynote speaker will be the Honorable Marion A. Humphrey Sr., a former Lyon College trustee, retired circuit court judge and longtime pastor. Humphrey served as a circuit court judge for Pulaski and Perry counties from 1993 to 2010, following four years as a Little Rock municipal judge. For more than 40 years, he has shepherded Allison Memorial Presbyterian Church in Little Rock while also distinguishing himself as an attorney and public servant.
Admission to the MLK Day luncheon and program is free, but reservations are required and may be made at lyon.edu/mlk-day.
Black History Month events continue with an alumni and student entrepreneurship panel on Feb. 4 at 11:30 a.m. in the Maxfield Room of Edwards Commons, followed by a social experience talk on Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. in Nucor Auditorium in the Lyon Business and Economics Building.
Additional events include “Scots Got Talent” on Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Patterson Dining Hall and a film screening on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Maxfield Room of Edwards Commons.
The series concludes March 7 with a Sneaker Masquerade Ball at 5:30 p.m. in Patterson Dining Hall. Tickets for the ball are $75 each or $500 for a table of eight. Sponsorships also are available. Tickets and sponsorship information are available at advance.lyon.edu/event/bsa-sneaker-masquerade-ball/e651502.
“Black History Month gives students the opportunity to learn from the past, listen to one another, and build stronger connections across our campus and community,” said Dr. Branndii Peterson, executive director of TRIO programs at Lyon College and adviser to the Black Student Association.“Beginning with the MLK Day program, this year’s theme, ‘Mission Possible,’ encourages students to turn reflection into action and play an active role in shaping a more inclusive and engaged campus community.”
Those unable to attend events may still support the Black Student Association through a gift to help fund student programming and initiatives.