Published on
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (January 5, 2004) - In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
75th birthday, the Aquinas College Multicultural and Campus Ministry Departments have
planned a program to be held on Thursday, January 15 at 12:30 p.m. in Bukowski Chapel
on the Aquinas campus. The public is welcome to attend the celebration.
Students will take part in the program and the Honorable Reverend George Heartwell will offer an address entitled "The Dream's Awake." Heartwell, mayor of Grand Rapids, is the lead partner of the Aquinas College Community Leadership Institute. He also administers an undergraduate major in community leadership and is involved in leadership development among nonprofit organizations throughout West Michigan. Heartwell served two terms on the Grand Rapids City Commission and fourteen years as pastor at Heartside Ministry. A graduate of Western Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ. Heartwell has served on many boards and is currently chairman of the Interurban Transit Partnership ("The Rapid").
In addition to the birthday celebration, the Aquinas Multicultural Department and Service Learning Departments are sponsoring the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Monday, January 19 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Wege Student Center Ballroom. "The Blood of Martyrs Blood Drive" honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a program inspired by the National Black Catholic Congress and initiated with the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan and the American Red Cross in 2001. Since its inception, the idea of a blood drive honoring King has gained momentum across the country.
Students will take part in the program and the Honorable Reverend George Heartwell will offer an address entitled "The Dream's Awake." Heartwell, mayor of Grand Rapids, is the lead partner of the Aquinas College Community Leadership Institute. He also administers an undergraduate major in community leadership and is involved in leadership development among nonprofit organizations throughout West Michigan. Heartwell served two terms on the Grand Rapids City Commission and fourteen years as pastor at Heartside Ministry. A graduate of Western Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ. Heartwell has served on many boards and is currently chairman of the Interurban Transit Partnership ("The Rapid").
In addition to the birthday celebration, the Aquinas Multicultural Department and Service Learning Departments are sponsoring the Martin Luther King Blood Drive on Monday, January 19 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Wege Student Center Ballroom. "The Blood of Martyrs Blood Drive" honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is a program inspired by the National Black Catholic Congress and initiated with the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan and the American Red Cross in 2001. Since its inception, the idea of a blood drive honoring King has gained momentum across the country.