GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (December 21, 2004) -In honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ginkgo Lane on the Aquinas College campus will be renamed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lane (the street sign will read ML King, Jr. Lane due to the length of his name). The blessing of the Lane by the Reverend George K. Heartwell, Mayor of Grand Rapids, will take place on the patio of the Cook Carriage House on Monday, January 17 at 12:15 to 1 p.m. Ginkgo Lane runs behind the Cook Carriage House, next to the soccer field and goes to Woodward Lane S.E. Refreshments will be served immediately following the blessing. The public is invited to join with the Aquinas community for this important event.

The Aquinas College Multicultural and Service Learning Departments are sponsoring a blood drive and bone marrow drive on Monday, January 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Wege Student Center Ballroom. Everyone is welcome to come to Aquinas and give a donation. For information on the blood and bone marrow drive, please call 632-2490.

"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.