Southeast plans variety of Black History Month activities

Southeast Missouri State University will celebrate Black History Month in February with a variety of events. Public events include:

* The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Read-a-Thon, which will be held throughout the month in local schools. For more information or to volunteer, contact Marcia Brown Haims at mjbrown@semo.edu or 651-2188.

* "Examining the Unwritten Rules for African-American Professionals" at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in the University Center Indian Room. This presentation by Men Encouraging New Ways and SELF (Sisterhood, Empowerment, Leadership and Femininity) explores the false perceptions, stereotypes and challenges that black men and women often encounter as professionals in their chosen fields. For more information, contact Steven Taylor or India Jeffery at staylor@semo.edu or 651-2273.

* "Battlefield Tested: Leadership Lessons of Historic Military Generals" at 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at the University Center Redhawks Room. The facilitated discussion will focus on the key elements of leadership, the importance of a personal philosophy while leading and how strength of character defines a leader. For more information, contact Michael Ignacio at maignacio@semo.edu or 986-7483.

* "Are You Honest with Yourself: Real-Life Approaches to Culture and Diversity" at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the University Center Indian Room. Participants will be encouraged to engage in a proactive discussion on the emerging cross-cultural experiences that promote and develop intercultural understanding. For more information, contact Valdis Zalite at vzalite@semo.edu or 651-2512.

* Southeast Multicultural Showcase on Feb. 16 at the Show Me Center and University Center Ballroom. This program will highlight academic and support programs, scholarship and grant award opportunities, and extracurricular leadership activities available for minority and multicultural students. Students should RSVP by Feb. 6 to James Williams at jcwilliams@semo.edu. For more information, contact Williams at jcwilliams@semo.edu or 651-5942.

* "School Choice or Chance: Why Are We Waiting for Superman?" at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 in the University Center Indian Room. Using a panel of students from different educational settings and excerpts from the film "Waiting for Superman," this facilitated discussion will include the topic of the changing educational climate and its affect on the black family. For more information, contact Lisa Nolan or Rashaun Henry at rhenry@semo.edu or 651-2512.

* "All Politics Are Personal: From the Fiscal Cliff to Your Front Yard" at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the University Center Indian Room. This guided discussion will examine the shifting political base and today's changing demographics. For more information, contact Zalite or Trent Ball at vzalite@semo.edu or 651-2512.

Pertinent address:

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO