MEDIA ADVISORY: MU to Hold Candlelight Vigil for Arvarh Strickland

May 6th, 2013

WHAT: The University of Missouri Legion of Black Collegians and iGUIDE Leadership Team will hold a candlelight vigil for the passing of the first tenured African-American professor at MU, Arvarh Strickland.

Strickland began his career at MU in 1969. Until he retired in 1996, Strickland, a nationally known historian, participated in curricular changes and directed undergraduate and graduate studies at MU, where he was largely responsible for increasing African-American enrollment and for transforming MU’s culture.

The vigil is open to the public and anyone who wants to honor Arvarh Strickland.

WHO: Keynote speaker:
Kaylan Holloway, executive director of iGUIDE
The iGUIDE Leadership Team participates in community service, holds peer-to-peer counseling and offers leadership development for its members. The organization is focused on increasing university retention rates.

Other speakers include:
Rikki Byrd, poetry selection
Symonne Sparks, music selection
Thomas Stovall, prayer
Marnae Chavers, president of MU’s Legion of Black Collegians student government

WHEN &
WHERE: 7 p.m., Monday, May 6
Outside of Strickland Hall (near the fountain)
MU campus