Organizations unite for Celebration Week

Students form 'piece of the puzzle'

At a school with over 250 student organizations it would seem difficult to unite them all, but one sorority and one student service organization is working toward that goal. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is working with the Center for Multicultural/International Student Services to hold the first ever JMU Unity Day.

The theme for the day was "You are a Piece of the Puzzle," which kicked off Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Week.

CMISS and AKA encouraged students to wear apparel supporting JMU or representing the organizations in which they participate, said senior Charmaine Wingfield, Lambda Chi chapter president. This is a great way to "show support for one another, and have fun at the same time," she added.

AKA also encouraged students to participate with puzzles, darts and music on the commons yesterday. Students could write their organization's name or their own on one of the many puzzle pieces that made up a large banner. This symbol of the diverse pieces that make up JMU as a whole will be carried in the unity march today at 4 p.m. The march begins at the James Madison statue and proceeds to the Transitions room in Warren Hall.

Before the march, participants have the opportunity to listen to portions of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches and have a forum for remarks on his accomplishments during a speakout and rendition at 12:20 p.m. on the commons.

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, Wingfield said she hopes this event will bring people together and help them realize the holiday is not only about racial unity.

Unity Day also corresponds with one of CMISS's national goals — Martin Luther King Jr. Day is "a day on, not a day off," Wingfield said.

Also, Tyson Brown, a CMISS graduate student assistant, said he hopes the day will bring together a diverse group of students and encourage them to come out to the celebration, as well as "increase awareness about Martin Luther King Jr.'s contributions."

Fred Hilton, director of media relations, said, "Diversity and representation of many cultures is an important part of the culture of the university."

Hilton said he thinks programs like this have been successful in the past and are likely to continue.