DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Tuskegee Airmen to Visit Rider University to Help Celebrate Black History Month

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by .

In recognition of Black History Month, Rider University will present a series of events on the Lawrence Township and Princeton campuses to celebrate African-American heritage and history in the United States, including a keynote address by Rev. DeForest B. “Buster” Soaries, former New Jersey secretary of state, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. in Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room.

History will come to life when surviving Tuskegee Airmen visit the Lawrence campus to share their stories at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, in Sweigart Auditorium, Room 115. The visitors will include Dr. Leslie A. Hayling, who was a U.S. Army Air Force aviation cadet; Robert Baker, who was a captain in the U.S. Air Force; and Barbara O’Neill, sister of Elwood Thomas, a United States Air Force major, who passed away in 1992.

Because classes were not in session during the actual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Rider will celebrate the MLK Day of Service on Friday, Feb. 17, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Last year, more than 80 students participated in four afterschool programs through the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton. Organizers are looking forward to making an even bigger impact this year.  For more information, please contact Elizabeth Newman, urban education coordinator, at enewman@rider.edu.

Other Black History Month events: 
 
Monday, Feb. 6 
 
Black Student Union Past Leader Reflection
7 p.m.
Student Recreation Center Seminar Room
Sponsored by Black Student Union 
 
Tuesday, Feb. 7
 
“This Time, Let’s Stay Negative”
A Discussion on HIV / AIDS in the Black Community
Hosted by Lynn Eiding, director, Student Health Center
6:30 p.m., North Hall, Room 202 
 
Wednesday, Feb. 8 
 
Midnight Run
5 p.m. - Food Prep
7 p.m. - Depart to New York City
Gill Chapel
Sponsored by Black Student Union
 
The History of Hip Hop: Multimedia Presentation
8 p.m.
Sweigart Auditorium, Room 115
Presented by Student Entertainment Council 
 
Thursday, Feb. 9 
 
Tuskegee Airmen Workshop
Meet World War II veterans and listen to their stories.
7:30 p.m.
SWG Auditorium, Room 115
Sponsored by Multicultural Affairs 
 
Monday, Feb. 13 
 
Black History Jeopardy
7:30 p.m.
Student Recreation Center Seminar Room
Sponsored by Black Student Union 
 
Tuesday, Feb. 14 
 
Bordentown School Presentation
Presenter and Q&A Moderator: Dr. Mildred Rice-Jordan, granddaughter of the founder of the
Bordentown School (the Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth)
7 p.m.
Westminster Choir College, Cottage 8
Sponsored by Multicultural Affairs 
 
Thursday, Feb. 16 
 
Glass Ceiling: What Women Can See But Cannot Achieve
Student Workshop Moderator: Dr. Monica Weaver, Provost of Mercer County Community College
7 p.m.
Sweigart Auditorium, Room 115 
 
Friday, Feb. 17 
 
MLK Day of Service
3:30 to 6 p.m.
Contact Elizabeth Newman for details at enewman@rider.edu
Sponsored by Rider Bonners 
 
Tuesday, Feb. 21 
 
Movie: A Raisin in the Sun
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center Fireside Lounge, Room 245
Sponsored by Black Student Union
 
One Degree of Separation
Social Action Forum on Social Inequality
Speaker: Missy Balmir
7:13 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center 257
Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta 
 
Wednesday, Feb. 22 
 
Midnight Run
5 p.m. - Food Prep
7 p.m. - Depart to New York City
Gill Chapel
Sponsored by Protestant Campus Ministry and Multicultural Student Leadership Institute
 
Bordentown School Presentation
Presenter and Q&A Moderator Dr. Mildred Rice-Jordan, grandniece of the founder of the
Bordentown School (the Manual Training and Industrial School for Colored Youth)
7 p.m.
Sweigart Auditorium, Room 115
Sponsored by Multicultural Affairs 
 
Thursday, Feb. 23 
 
Color of Music: African American Influence of Music from 1950 to Date
Hosted by Charlie Geter ’55
7 p.m.
Yvonne Theater
Sponsored by Black Student Union 
 
Sunday, Feb. 26 
 
The Power of African American Music to Inspire by musical group Follow the Drinking Gourd
4 p.m.
Westminster Choir College Playhouse
Sponsored by Multicultural Affairs 
 
Monday, Feb. 27
 
Gospel Fest
6 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room
Sponsored by Black Student Union 
 
Tuesday, Feb. 28 
 
Closing Ceremony: Rev. DeForest B. Soaries, Former New Jersey Secretary of State
7 p.m.
Bart Luedeke Center Cavalla Room
Sponsored by Black Student Union